Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday said that he is considering collecting a small amount as tax from the public for the welfare of cows in the state.
"We used to keep a portion of our meal for cows and dogs before having it. Now, this tradition is followed only in exceptional cases. So, I am considering collecting a small amount as tax from the public for the welfare of cows at cow shelters," Chouhan said while addressing the public on Gopashtami on Sunday at Salaria Gau Sanctuary in Agar Malwa district.
He also announced that cow milk will be given to the children in anganwadis.
"Cow's milk is like nectar. We have decided that cow milk will be given to children in the anganwadis," he said, adding the house which keeps cows is always filled with positive energy. "Sculptures and diyas are now being made from cow dung, which is also environment-friendly".
Chouhan added Madhya Pradesh government will construct nearly 2,000 new cow shelters and NGOs will also be operating some of them.
"There are around 7 lakh to 8 lakh stray cattle in Madhya Pradesh. The state government will construct around 2,000 new cow shelters," said Chouhan.
Earlier on Sunday, after holding a meeting on "Cow Cabinet", CM Chouhan said that the state government will form the Mantri Parishad Samiti to work for the protection and promotion of cows.
"Ministers of departments related to animals and the principal secretary will together form the Mantri Parishad Samiti. This issue cannot be handled only by the Animal Husbandry Department," said Chouhan.
Chouhan celebrated also Gopashtami at his residence in Bhopal where he fed halwa-roti to cows.
As per the Hindu mythology, Lord Krishna's father, Nanda Maharaja, asked him and his elder brother Lord Balrama to take the responsibility of the cows of Vrindavan on this day.
