Lucknow: Yogi Adityanath-led government has now come up with a new scheme for stray cattle that it says will generate employment opportunities too. The state government today approved the Mukhya Mantri Be-sahara Gau-Vansh Sahbhagita Yojana.
In Phase 1 of this scheme, the government says, over one lakh cattle currently in government-run shelters will be handed over to willing farmers or other people willing to take care of them after due process. The person who takes over will be paid Rs. 30 per animal per day, every month via direct bank transfer, which works out to be about Rs. 900 per month.
In a press release, the UP government acknowledged that keeping stray cattle in government-run shelters is proving to be a headache. The government said there are 205.66 lakh cattle in the state, according to a 2012 census, of which there are about 10-12 lakh estimated stray cattle in UP at the moment. The government says there are 523 registered gaushalas or cow shelters in the state at present and more are being built.
This new scheme will cost the government Rs. 109 crore in the first phase. In the press release, the government has claimed the scheme will lead to the eradication of the stray cattle problem and increased employment opportunities.