Haryana considering formation of Cow Protection Task Force

Haryana is mulling to constitute 'Gau Rakshak Task Force' on the pattern of Home Guards to ensure strict enforcement of the stringent cow protection law in the state.
"It is being considered to constitute Gau Rakshak Task Force (Cow Protection Task Force) on the pattern of Home Guards so that the Haryana Gauvansh Sanrakshan and Gausamvardhan Act, 2015 could be strictly enforced," Chairman, Haryana Gau Seva Ayog Bhani Ram Mangla said here today.
For "protection and upkeep" of cows, Haryana Assembly had in March 2015 passed the Bill which clamps a complete ban on cow slaughter in the state and provides for a rigorous imprisonment ranging from three years to ten years for killing the animal.

Mangla said cow smuggling in Yamunanagar, Panipat, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Gurgaon and Rewari districts was posing a challenge.
Special teams have been constituted to put a check on cow smuggling and cow slaughter in which 62 gazetted officers and 240 other rank police personnel have been included, he said.
"In case anyone receives information about cow smuggling and cow slaughter, he can pass on the same on mobile number 8284030455. On getting the information, police team would reach the spot within half-an-hour and arrest the accused," he said, according to an official release here.

Mangla said at present there were more than 1.17 lakh stray cows in the State.

"As announced by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, it has been decided to set up 'gau abhyaranyas' (cow sanctuaries) at five places in the State. A proposal has been received to set up such sanctuaries over an area of 200 acres in Panipat and 50 to 100 acres in Hisar, Sirsa and Bhiwani.
Cow sanctuaries would be set up in each district in the state in a phased manner," he added.
He said a workshop would soon be organised in all districts of the state to apprise police and district administration officials with minute details of Haryana Gauvansh Sanrakshan and Gausamvardhan Act, 2015.

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Under a special campaign launched by the Haryana
government, more than 200 stray cows in district Faridabad have so far been sent to the Gaushalas (cow sanctuaries), Mangla said.
In case their owners stake claim on these cows, they will be charged Rs 5100 as fine and Rs 150 per day for fodder.
He also informed that a scheme is being prepared to make the Gau-shalas self-reliant.
He said biogas-based electricity would also be produced in the Gaushalas in Public Private Partnership mode. Apart from this, organic manure and phenyl would be prepared from cow urine.
Mangla also suggested some measures to the government for strengthening the financial condition of Gau Seva Ayog.

Meanwhile, Haryana's Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister O P Dhankar today gave directions to make available land for cow sanctuaries in Hisar and Bhiwani.
Dhankar, who was presiding over a meeting to review various schemes being implemented for conservation of livestock by the department here, asked the officers to send a proposal for the same.
He also issued directions for constituting a committee for the purpose of land availability for developing cow- sanctuaries in Panipat and Yamunanagar. The committee would submit its report within a week, he added.