In the run-up to Maharashtra Assembly polls, a key decision from Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-headed MahaYuti government followed on Monday by conferring the status of 'Rajya Mata-Gaumata' (the state's mother) upon the desi (indigenous) cows in the state - a move which comes in much appreciation from its key MahaYuti ally BJP.
Maharashtra Cabinet Clears the Proposal that will Provide a Daily Grant of Rs 50 per Desi Cow to 'Gaushalas'.
"This was the demand of many people, including the seers. Today, we have been successful in fulfilling that demand. Cows have been given a new identity of Rajya Mata, Gomata," CM Shinde said while talking about the government's decision to bestow an honourable title upon cows -- considered a sacred animal in Hinduism and is worshipped.
"A decision was also taken to provide an allowance of Rs 50 per desi cow. We are committed towards protecting the cows. That's why an important decision was taken in this regard, added CM Shinde.
The Maharashtra Cabinet also decided on the subsidy scheme for rearing indigenous cows, stating that gaushalas generate only a very low income, and hence they could not afford to bear the expenses. Thus, the government will sanction a daily subsidy of Rs 50 for each indigenous cow.
BAPS Swaminarayan, which works in cultural, spiritual, cow service, de-addiction spheres was granted around 10 acres of land in Dhule district.
Maharashtra Goseva Commission said that the subsidy scheme will be done online. There will be 'District Goshala Verification Committee' in each district of the state. According to the 20th livestock census in 2019, indigenous cows have been found less than 46.13 lakh as compared to the 19th census, and it has decreased by 20.69 per cent.
The key MahaYuti ally Bharatiya Janata Party has not only welcomed the decision but also gave its backing and support to the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government for declaring the status of 'Rajya Mata-Gaumata' to indigenous cows.
The BJP called it a reinforcement of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's legacy.
National Spokesperson of BJP Prem Shukla said that this is a very important step as it falls in the direction proposed by Shivaji for Hindavi Swaraj.
He also targeted Congress and NCP-SP chief Sharad Pawar saying that such statement should have come much earlier.
He also claimed that it was only in the Devendra Fadnavis government when a law was made prohibiting cow slaughter.
"This decision honors the tradition of Chhatrapati Shivaji," he said.
Talking about the importance of cows in Maharashtra since ancient times, Shukla further said that there has been a tradition of protection of cows in Maharashtra since the Vedic period. Cows have always been protected and promoted in many areas of the state including Marathwada, West Maharashtra and Vidarbha.
Chhatrapati Shivaji was also described as a protector of cows.
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