Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched an ambulance service for cows and other animals in Madhya Pradesh on Friday, issuing a toll-free number (1962) that would be used to avail emergency treatment services for animals.
A fleet of 406 veterinary ambulances was flagged off by the CM at a gau raksha sankalp sammelan (cow protection resolution conference) at Lal Parade Ground in Bhopal.
A similar service was launched by Uttar Pradesh in 2021, ahead of the assembly polls there.
Speaking on the occasion, Chouhan said the time has come when ambulances are available not only for humans but also for ‘gau mata’ and other animals. A veterinarian and assistants will be available in the ambulance to provide medical aid to the animals.
“Taking a sick animal to the hospital was a big problem. Now, with the launch of these ambulances, the veterinary hospital itself will be available at the door of the cattle rearers,” Chouhan said.
Chouhan performed cow worship immediately after reaching the conference venue in the presence of BJP Madhya Pradesh in-charge P. Murlidhar Rao, BJP state chief and MP V.D. Sharma, Bhopal MP Pragya Thakur, Madhya Pradesh Gau Samvardhan Board chairman Swami Akhileshwaranand Giri and others.
Warns against illegal transportation of cattle
Chouhan said the slaughter of cow progeny has been banned in the state. There is a provision of imprisonment for those killing cows and those involved in illegal transportation. Vehicles involved in the illegal transportation of cattle will be confiscated, the CM added.
He said cows are necessary for natural farming. ‘ghanamrit’ and ‘jeevamrit’ (soil and seed treatment microbial cultures) are made from cow urine and cow dung. Hence, Rs. 900 per month will be given to farmers engaged in natural farming for rearing cows. An installment under the scheme will be issued to 22,000 farmers this month. Tribals will be provided 90 per cent subsidy on buying cows for rearing.
The CM said the state government is also making efforts to turn the business of cow dung, cow urine, and other cow products profitable. “Work is going on in Jabalpur on the project of making CNG from cow dung. Arrangements will be made to buy cow dung by setting up Govardhan plants at different places in the state, through which CNG will be produced. Further, a policy will be made to use natural paint made in gaushalas (cowsheds) in panchayat level government buildings in rural areas. This will encourage the business of cow dung and cow urine,” the CM added.
Chouhan said instead of gaushalas (cow shelters) in every gram panchayat in the state, the state government is also considering developing big shelters comprising four to five village panchayats to make management easier. Any organisation can take responsibility for the arrangements of these shelters and get financial assistance from the state government.
For quick resolution of the problems of gaushalas and their better management, the responsibility will be assigned to the additional collector-level officer at the district level.
Oath administered for cow rearing and protection
The chief minister administered an oath for cow rearing and cow protection to the people of the state at the gau raksha sammelan. “We must take a pledge to serve the cow by taking out ‘gau grass’ (food share for cows) or its equivalent amount every day before meals for cow protection. Inspire your family as well as the society in this work.”
Murlidhar Rao lauded the cow protection initiatives being taken by the CM and said this will have a positive impact on agriculture, the rural economy, and the country’s economy. Sharma said the initiative of introducing ambulances for cow protection in Madhya Pradesh is exemplary.
