Govt to provide land to cattle rearers to set up cattle farms 15-20 km away from cities: Rupani

Chief Minister hands over Rs.6.77-crore Gopalak Vikas Nigam loan to 513 cattle owners
“Gujarat Government to provide land to cattle owners of eight municipal corporations to set up cattle farms 15-20 km away from cities”
“Call to all to join ‘Sujalam Sufalam Water Conservation’ campaign”
– Vijaybhai Rupani

Gandhinagar: In a bid to check traffic jams due to cattle blocking roads and accidents with loss of lives and property, Gujarat Government has decided to provide land at token rates and financial assistance to cattle owners of eight municipal corporations to set up modern cattle farms 15-20 km away from the cities.

This was announced by Chief Minister Vijaybhai Rupani while disbursing Rs.6.77-crore as loans or assistance to 513 cattle owners at a function here today held under the aegis of Gujarat Gopalak Vikas Nigam as part a scheme for all round development of rabari and bharwad community.

He said the government will provide electricity, adequate water, cattle sheds and other amenities in the new settlements, besides assistance of up to Rs.3-lakh for each cattle farm to set up total 5,000 cattle camps. The government has allocated Rs.140-crore under this head in this year’s budget.

Mr. Rupani said that our culture has for ages revered Gay (cow) Ganges, Gita and Girdhar and the cattle owners have been taking pretty good care of these four entities. It is time the cattle owners also supplement their income and add value to their profession through education and self-employment as part of the government’s development mantra for ‘sabka saath, sabka vikas’.

He appealed to all sections of the societies, voluntary organizations, educational and religious organizations to participate in the government’s ‘Sujalam Sufalam Water Conservation Campain’ from May 1 to 31, 2018, deepening talavdis (ponds), cleansing and de-silting canals and rivers and tree plantation drive. He said the cattle owners should also join the campaign. It is to ensure they do not have to migrate to greener pastures in dry seasons.

Social Justice & Empowerment Minister Ishwarbhai Parmar said the Gopalak Nigam has disbursed Rs.43.65-crore as assistance or loan to 7,340 beneficiaries between 2002-03 and 2017-18.

Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Vasanbhai Ahir said the cattle owners’ community has long been neglected which has now taken turn for the good under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Minister of State for Sheep & Wool Development Corporation Chairman Bhavanbhai Bharwad, former Parliamentary Secretary Ranchhodbhai Rabari and Principal Secretary for Social Justice & Empowerment Kamal Dayani spoke in the occasion.

Others present included Vikasit Jati Kalyan Director K.G. Vanzara, Nigam MD Algotar, Gandhinagar Collector Langa and Directors of the Nigam.

– Information