Congress today grilled the BJP-led Gujarat government over cattle deaths in Vadodara-based animal shelters recently, alleging gross negligence by the administration.
During the ongoing Budget session in the Assembly today, Congress MLA Punja Vansh invoked the issue under 'matter of urgent public interest' and asked Gujarat Agriculture Minister Babu Bokhiria to explain steps which his department took after the incident.
Within a span of two days, 101 cattle, including cows and buffaloes, died in two state-run animal shelters (panjrapol) near Vadodara city after eating fodder.
On March 6, 43 cattle died in Darjipura animal shelter while 58 cattle died next day in Sayajipura animal shelter, Bokhiria's reply stated.
In his action taken report submitted in the House, Bokhiria said that primary investigations by veterinary doctors revealed that the cattle died due to food poisoning after consuming maize plants given to them as green fodder.
He said that his department has taken the help of forensic experts to find out the exact cause of the deaths. He said that various teams of doctors were rushed to the spot immediately after learning about these deaths and the lives of several other cattle were saved.
Not satisfied with his answer, Congress MLA Gova Rabari alleged that cattle deaths took place due to lack of medical staff near these shelters. He also sought details about action taken against the fodder supplier.
Another MLA Anil Joshiara alleged negligence on the part of the administration by claiming that cattle in the Sayajipura animal shelter could have been saved if the administration would have woken up after the deaths in the Darjipura animal shelter.
"We have also filed a complaint with the police in this regard. Officials of the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) also visited the farm of the fodder supplier and took samples. We have to wait for the FSL report to initiate further action against anyone," Bokhiria said.
