Pune: 135 Goshalas Receive Rs 17.21 Crore Across Maharashtra State
Pune, 12th September 2024: In the fiscal year 2023-24, Rs 17.21 crore have been distributed to 135 Goshalas across 324 talukas in 34 districts under the Govardhan Govansh Seva Kendra Yojana.
Maharashtra Goseva Ayog Chairman Shekhar Mundada, along with non-governmental member Dr. Sunil Suryavanshi, reported that the production program for animal feed required for livestock in these Goshalas is ongoing.
The state government established the commission to preserve and conserve indigenous cattle. The subsidy aims to support Goshalas by providing fodder, water, and shelter for milk production, agricultural work, animal breeding, draft work, and the care of aged cows, bulls, and oxen. Goshala operators have been awaiting this grant for the past year.
The Maharashtra Animal Protection Act of 1995, passed by the coalition government, bans the slaughter of cows. On March 4, 2015, the Act was amended to extend the ban to bulls and oxen not used for agricultural work, carrying heavy loads, or breeding. This has led to an increase in the number of non-productive cattle in the state. To address the care of such cattle, the Govardhan Govansh Seva Kendra Yojana was introduced in the financial year 2017-18.
