Gujarat govt to set up 250 Nandighars to protect and improve cow progeny: Rupani

Ahmedabad: Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani inaugurated a two-day statewide Panjrapol-Goshala Trustees Conference at Chekhla Vansjada village near here today.

Speaking at the inaugural session, he said that ‘Gay-Ganga-Gita’ assume special significance in the Indian culture – ‘Gay’ symbolizing the protection of promotion of the cows, ‘Ganga’ symbolizing the cleanliness campaign and ‘Gita’ symbolizing the Vedas and Sanskrit as source of knowledge.

He said a budgetary provision of Rs.88.42-crore has been made to start 250 Nandighars in the state to protect and improve the cow progeny, including the famous Gir and Kankrej breeds of cow and Jafrabadi buffalo known for their giving more milk than other breeds. The efforts should pay dividends to the cattle owners in three years in the form of greater yield. There is proposal to develop grazing land, too. He proposed barbed wires to be laid at a cost Rs.700-crore to fence off the farmland from the stray cattle for the benefit of farmers.

Mr. Rupani said that Gujarat will implement the ban on cow slaughter as strictly as spelled out by his predecessor Narendra Modi. He exuded the confidence that Gujarat would emerge as the front-ranking state in banning cow laughter as well as implementing prohibition.

He said protecting the animal world, right from insects to wild animals, is the duty of the government as well as the society. He thanked the trustees of Goshalas (cowsheds) for taking interest in ‘Jeev Daya’ feeling for all animals.

The Chief Minister handed over cheques of Rs.5-lakh each to Vapi and Rajkot Panjrapols as a token. He also dedicated a modern ambulance.

Jain Acharya Premsurishwarji blessed the audience. The conference organizer Girishbhai Shah felicitated on being appointed Central Government’s Animal Welfare Board.

Those present on the occasion included Gujarat Goseva Ayog Chairman Vallabhbhai Kathiria, sants and mahants of different religious groups, besides Goshala trustees from all over the state.

– Information