Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has directed local administrations, SPs, and district collectors to take strict action against cow slaughter.
Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister Gokulananda Mallik emphasized the government’s commitment to preventing cow slaughter, stating that immediate action will be taken if any incidents come to light.
Mallik’s statement came after his visit to the Govardhan Peeth Goshala in Puri, where he expressed his happiness with the facilities. He announced plans to set up an independent OMFED depot to supply subsidized ghee to Srimandir.
He said that the government has also invited NGOs and social workers to build cowsheds, providing necessary resources, including food and construction materials.
The government’s Kamadhenu scheme has received over 30,000 applications on the Go Sugam portal, aiming to increase the cattle population and empower the Odisha State Cooperative Milk Producers’ Federation (Omfed). The scheme offers subsidies for cow sheds, up to Rs 52 lakhs, and Rs 2,000 per cow for those who raise them. Additionally, a subsidy is provided for grass cultivation.
A plan has been made to build 200 cow sheds, with a budget of Rs 9 crore. New infrastructure is being prepared through the Mukhyamantri Prani Kalyan Yojana, including the filling of LI and VS posts, deployment of MVU vehicles in each block, and operationalization of the ‘1962’ helpline.
