Launch Special Drive to Tag Every Stray Cattle- Chief Minister

*Chief Minister Directs Stringent Action Mechanism against Those Leaving Cattle  on Roads*

*District-Wise Tenders to be Floated across Haryana for Catching Stray Cattle*

*Chief Minister Directs Fencing, Boundary Walls and Green Fodder Arrangements at Gau Abhyaran*

Chandigarh, September 2 – Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that a special drive be launched to catch stray cattle and ensure tagging of every animal. He said proper identification of animals would make it possible to fix responsibility and take action against the concerned owner if an animal belonging to a household or Gaushala is found roaming outside.

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini was chairing a meeting of the Haryana Gau Seva Aayog and the Animal Husbandry Department on Wednesday. Haryana Agriculture Minister Sh. Shyam Singh Rana was also present. During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on various issues, including the problem of stray cattle in the State, management of Gaushalas, Gau Abhyaran, breed improvement and measures to make Gaushalas self-reliant. Officials of the Animal Husbandry Department and Haryana Gau Seva Aayog Chairman Sh. Ramchand Kamboj also shared their views on stray cattle and cattle housed in Gaushalas.

The Chief Minister directed officers of the Animal Husbandry Department to undertake a statewide drive to ensure tagging of every head of cattle. Tagging should also be made mandatory when animals caught by urban local bodies are handed over to Gaushalas so that every animal can be properly identified.

*Stringent Action against Those Leaving Cattle in the Open*

The Chief Minister was apprised that some cattle owners, after milking their animals in the morning and evening, leave them to roam in the open, resulting in such animals being found unattended on roads.  He directed the officers concerned to fix responsibility on such cattle owners and take action against them.

During the meeting discussion was also held regarding a provision for imposing a fine of Rs. 11,000 when an animal is caught for the first time, Rs. 21,000 for the second instance, and registration of an FIR if the animal is caught for a third time. It was also discussed that such cattle owners could be deprived of government-provided benefits for their animals, including vaccination and insurance premium support, besides placing their names on a negative list.

The Chief Minister directed that necessary action be taken in this regard. He said caught animals should not be returned without completing the prescribed action.

*District-Wise Tenders to be Floated for Catching Stray Cattle*

The Chief Minister directed that district-wise tenders be floated across the State for catching stray cattle so that the special drive can be carried out effectively.

Directing officers to make proper arrangements at cattle sanctuaries, the Chief Minister said appropriate fencing should be provided. A boundary wall should be constructed around the area where the animals are to be kept, while green fodder should be cultivated on the remaining land. Adequate fodder, water and other essential facilities for animals at cattle sanctuaries should also be ensured.

*Focus on Making Gaushalas Self-Reliant*

In the meeting, discussion was also held regarding various issues relating to making Gaushalas self-reliant, better upkeep of cattle, breed improvement and provision of necessary facilities in Gaushalas.

The Chief Minister directed that effective steps be taken to strengthen Gaushalas and make them self-reliant. He said the Haryana Gau Seva Aayog should play a proactive role in this direction and maintain coordination with Gaushalas.

 In the meeting, it was informed that 707 Gaushalas are currently registered in the State, housing around four lakh cattle.

*Chief Minister Directs Plan to Check Stray Dog Menace*

Taking cognisance of the problem of stray dogs in the State, the Chief Minister also directed officers to prepare a plan for its effective resolution. He said the Urban Local Bodies Department and the Animal Husbandry Department should work in coordination in accordance with the relevant guidelines.

Chief Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Sh. Rajesh Khullar, Principal Secretary to  Chief Minister Sh. Arun Kumar Gupta, Principal Secretary, Animal Husbandry Department, Sh. Vijay Singh Dahiya, Commissioner and Secretary, Urban Local Bodies Department, Sh. Ashok Meena, Director General, Animal Husbandry Department, Dr Prem Singh, and other officers were also present.