Telangana to formulate comprehensive cow protection policy: CM Revanth Reddy
Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has directed officials to formulate a comprehensive policy for cow protection in the state. He has constituted a three-member official committee to study and propose measures, including the establishment of well-equipped cow shelters.
The committee includes Special Chief Secretary to the Animal Husbandry Department Sabyasachi Ghosh, Principal Secretary to the Endowments Department Shailaja Ramaiyar, and Agriculture Secretary Raghunandan Rao. The panel will study existing cow protection models in other states and examine the feasibility of setting up goshalas in Telangana.
The Chief Minister held a review meeting at his residence on Tuesday evening with officials from the Animal Husbandry, Endowments, and Agriculture departments. He expressed concern over reports of cow deaths in shelters due to overcrowding and lack of resources. Many cows, donated by devotees, are reportedly suffering due to inadequate facilities.
In response, the government has decided to construct state-of-the-art cow shelters in four locations in the first phase, Vemulawada, Yadagirigutta, Yenkepally near Hyderabad, and the Animal Husbandry University. The shelter at Vemulawada, a site where calves are donated as part of the 'Kode Mokku' ritual, will be set up on over 100 acres of land.
The Chief Minister highlighted that special attention should be given to the protection of calves donated with religious sentiment. He assured that the state government is prepared to allocate sufficient funds for the initiative. An approach paper on the management of cow shelters was submitted to the Chief Minister during the meeting.
Animal Husbandry Minister Vakiti Srihari, Principal Secretaries V. Seshadri and Srinivasa Raju, HMDA Commissioner Sarfaraz Ahmed, Animal Husbandry Director Gopi, and Ranga Reddy District Collector Narayana Reddy also attended the review meeting.
