Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister Gokula Nanda Mallik on Saturday announced that strict action will be taken against cattle smugglers and those involved in cow slaughter.
Mallik came up with this announcement on the occasion of Gopashtami, a Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Krishna and his beloved cows.
Speaking to the media, Minister Mallik said that two Punganur cattle from Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh were brought to his home to mark Gopashtami.
He emphasised the government’s commitment to protecting cows and preventing cow slaughter.
“I pray to Gomata to bless all of us. May Odisha and our nation remain safe and may the population of cows grow. We will take strong action against those involved in cow slaughter,” he said.
In line with this, Minister Mallik mentioned that Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi also spoke about this in Puri, emphasising the importance of the Kamdhenu Yojana in Odisha and its focus on improving cattle breeding.
“The Chief Minister has set up a committee under the leadership of the Deputy Chief Minister, which includes five ministers and a secretary. This committee will take action to prevent accidents involving cows on the roads and ensure their safety,” said Minister Mallik.
The Minister also highlighted that cow progeny and milk production in villages will be a priority, with subsidies being provided to support this.
“In every block, the Kamdhenu Yojana will be implemented at eight points as per the plan. This will focus on increasing milk production and improving small cattle farming. We will provide subsidies and restructure OMFED (Odisha State Cooperative Milk Producers’ Federation). The project, with a total cost of Rs 1,423 crore, will focus on boosting cow progeny in rural areas. As demand for OMFED products increases in villages, we will ensure that OMFED outlets are set up in every village,” he added.
