NEW DELHI: The Maharashtra government has conferred the title of ‘Rajyamata-Gomata’ to indigenous cows to promote their welfare considering factors like their significance since Vedic period, an official notification said.
The other factors include the importance of indigenous cow milk in human nutrition, ayurvedic and panchgavya treatment and use of cow manure in organic farming, the government resolution, issued by the state Agriculture, Dairy Development, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Department said.
During a cabinet meeting presided over by chief minister Eknath Shinde, it was decided to implement a subsidy scheme offering Rs 50 per day for the rearing of these cows in ‘goshalas’, news agency ANI reported.
The initiative, managed by the Maharashtra Goseva Commission, aims to support struggling goshalas and reverse the declining population of indigenous cows, which fell by 20.69% according to the 2019 census.
“Indigenous cows are a boon for our farmers. So, we have decided to grant Rajya Mata status to them. We have also decided to extend help for the rearing of indigenous cows at goshalas,” deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis said.
The scheme will be implemented online by the goseva commission under which each district will have a District Goshala Verification Committee.
The decision, which comes ahead of the state assembly elections, underscores the cow’s spiritual, scientific, and historical significance in Indian society, an official said.
(With agency inputs)
