Hingonia Gaushala deaths: cows die of swallowing polythene

Hingonia Cowshed case has been making headlines since past couple of days. Where on one hand BJP has been trying to take strict measures to prevent any further death of cows at the Hingonia Gaushala, on the other the opposition is continuously raising questions on the state government.
Rajasthan Minister, Rajpaj Singh Shekhawat has initiated strict inspections over the alarming heights of negligence that has been witnessed at the Hingonia Cowshed. Rajpal Singh Shekhawat who is the UDF minister, has reviewed the conditions and said that “I will apprise the Chief Minister of the situation.”

CM Vasundhara Raje, after reviewing all the statistics, reports and taking an overview at the conditions has expressed firm disappointment on the current status of Hingonia Gaushala and the deaths of the innocent cows. She has said that after returning from Delhi, she herself will visit the Hingonia Gaushala and will examine the conditions.
Jaipur Muncipal Corportation, by the mean time, on the instructions of CM Raje has suspended Deputy Commissioner and Cowshed in-charge for being guilty and showing carelessness towards the maintenance and care of the cows in the cowshed. The government on the other hand is trying to make sure that suitable arrangements are in place by making all possible efforts. A special team of experts has been appointed in order to look into the matter.

Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Smt. Vasundhara Raje has expressed grave anger and said, “Negligence in the maintenance of cow sheds and care of cows at rehabilitation centres shall not be tolerated at any case.” CM Raje directed the Urban Development Minister Rajpal Singh Shekhawat, Animal Husbandry Minister Prabhulal Saini, Chief Secretary Shri O.P. Meena, Principal Secretary Manjit Singh and Jaipur Municipal Corporation Commissioner Shri Hemant Gera to inspect the Hingonia Cow Rehabilitation centre and look into the matter.

Additionally, 7 veterinarians, 28 livestock assistants, 2 radiographers, lab technician, 7 livestock attendants, a water-bearing and a 60-member team including four sweepers have been deployed to continuously monitor the health of the cows. Secretary of animal husbandry department Kunji Lal Meena had earlier said, “The government is making all efforts to make sure that proper arrangements are in place in the centre where some animals have died in the past few days. These cows were already sick.” Meena informed, “In the last few days a special campaign was commenced to confine stray animals, consequently, the inflow of animals to the centre has accordingly increased. 1,228 bovine animals were captured from July 15 to July 31 and most of them were suffering from malnutrition and were sick.”
Also, Shailesh Sharma, Director of Gaupalan Department has said, “No symptoms of communicable or seasonal diseases were found in the cows. The cows in serious condition would be shifted to the Radhakrishna Gaushala in Sawai Madhopur for treatment.”

Government said that this is not a cowshed but rather a cow Hingonia Gaushala where the team go and bring in cows from around the city which are already either old, hurt, met with an accident, unclaimed and handicapped. The government said that majority of the cows that they bring to the centre are so ill that they usually die before the check-up, some die during the check-up and some are so weak that they die even after the check-up. They usually die because in the city they wander and eat polythene and non chewable and digestible stuff that cause them serious illness. It said that there are currently around 8000 cows at this Hingonia Gaushala and almost 30 to 40 cows die per day. State government say that this is one of the initiatives that BJP government has taken in the state for the welfare of the cows apart from establishing a separate ministry for cows. The state government has taken following initiatives for cow welfare and conservation:

• Establishment of “Gopalan Department” on 13^th March, 2014.
• Relief grant of Rs. 219.00 crore distributed for Goshalas and cattle camps in 29 famine affected districts in 2015-16.
• An amount of Rs. 867 lacs sanctioned for construction of new building of Gopalan Directorate. Land leveling started in March, 2016.
• Grant of Rs. 200 lacs provided to 51 Goshalas for maintenance and upkeep of 5125 cows saved from slaughter in 2015–16.
• Creation of a permanent resource (Fund) for cow conservation activities by way of 10% surcharge on stamp duty from 2016-17.
• Registration of 269 new Goshalas under Rajasthan Goshala Act, 1960 in last 2 years.
• Mass campaign for bull registration and castration of stray / nondescript males in goshalas (8196 nondescript males castrated and 343 breed-able bulls registered till 29.2.2016).
• Indigenous Breed improvement Programme for Tharparkar, rathi and Sahiwal breed of Cows of Rajasthan in Jodhpur, Bikaner and Hanumangarh districts respectively under NDP-I.
• 2000 Integrated Livestock Development Centres are being established through J.K.Trust.

As far as the Hingonia case is concerned, the state government and the cow ministry is leaving no stone unturned in improving the conditions of the cows and giving them better environment to survive and live healthy. Cows have always been a part of the Indian Hindu society and must be conserved and taken care of. The good news is, so does the CM Raje believes and executes for the welfare of cows in her state.