Chandigarh, May 5 – Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that making the state free from stray cattle is a top priority of the government. For this, two Gau Abhayaarany have been established—one in village Nain in Panipat district and the other in village Dhandoor in Hisar district. These Gau Abhayaarany have been equipped with sheds, water, and fodder facilities. An amount of ₹8 crore has already been released for them.
He said that for the rehabilitation of stray cattle, a provision has been made in the financial year 2025–26 to grant ₹10 lakh per gaushala for constructing sheds in 51 gaushalas. Out of these, grants have already been provided to 21 gaushalas. Similarly, the Haryana Gau Vansh Research Centre has been established at Sukhdarshanpur, Panchkula for research and development of Panchgavya-based products.
The Chief Minister was addressing a fodder grant distribution ceremony at Shri Krishna Gau Shala Society in Ladwa, Kurukshetra on Tuesday. Along with Haryana State Child Welfare Council Vice Chairperson Smt. Suman Saini, he performed Gau Pooja at the gaushala. He distributed cheques amounting to ₹70.24 lakh as fodder grant to 11 registered gaushalas of Ladwa and Thanesar constituencies.
He said that such events are connected with our culture, service, and spirit of dedication. Today, he again got the opportunity to serve Gau Mata. Including today’s grant, a total of ₹228.58 crore has been released as fodder grant for 619 registered gaushalas across the state in the financial year 2025–26. Over the past eleven and a quarter years, ₹526.45 crore has been provided as fodder grant to registered cow shelters.
He said that the Vedas extensively describe the importance of cows. Our scriptures and Puranas consider cows as the foundation of prosperity, peace, and life. Gau Seva, Gau Palan, and Gau Raksha have been mentioned in various forms in our religious texts. Since ancient times, cows have been revered in India. According to mythology, all deities reside in the cow. It is also said that Kamdhenu, the divine cow, emerged as one of the fourteen treasures during the Samudra Manthan.
The Chief Minister said that the government has taken several important steps for the development of gaushalas, conservation of cattle, and promotion of natural farming. In the Budget 2026–27, a provision has been made to open seven new government veterinary dispensaries in Musnota, Nangal Jat, Shiv Gau Shala (Madlauda), Mor Kheri, Baloli, Dahima, and Gau Abhayaarany (Nain). In addition, four new government veterinary hospitals will be opened in Kari Adu, Dhundhwa, Mohamadpur Ahir, and Mamaria Asampur.
He said that before 2014, there were 215 registered gaushalas in Haryana with only 1.75 lakh cattle. Today, there are 697 registered gaushalas with more than 4 lakh stray cattle being taken cared of.
He added that solar energy plants have been installed in 330 registered gaushalas. In the year 2026–27, all registered cow shelters will be converted into solar-powered campuses. The government is providing electricity to gaushalas at ₹2 per unit. Earlier, a 1% stamp duty was charged on land registration for cow shelters, but now new gaushalas are exempted from stamp duty.
He said that arrangements have been made for veterinary check-ups of cattle in gaushalas. In shelters housing more than 3,000 cattle, veterinarians are deputed once a week, while in shelters with fewer cattle, VLDA staff are deputed weekly. Mobile veterinary services are also being provided.
The Chief Minister emphasized the need to conserve and promote indigenous cow breeds. In this direction, Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi has launched the ‘Rashtriya Gokul Mission’. Cattle rearers of indigenous breeds like Haryana, Sahiwal, and Belahi cows are being given incentives ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹20,000 based on milk production capacity. Efforts are also being made to improve the breeds of cattle housed in gaushalas.
He said that a provision has been made to provide incentives for bringing stray cattle from roads to gaushalas —₹300 per calf, ₹600 per cow, and ₹800 per bull. A budget of ₹4 crore has been approved for this purpose.
The government is also working to make gaushalas self-reliant. These shelters are producing products like natural phenyl, organic manure rich in phosphate, utensils made from cow dung, natural paint, pots, diyas, incense sticks, soap, and other items from cow dung and urine. Financial assistance has been provided to 101 gaushalas for purchasing machinery for Panchgavya-based products.
He said that the government has implemented a strict law, the “Haryana Gauvansh Protection and Gausamvardhan Act, 2015,” to ensure the safety of cows. Under this law, cow slaughter is punishable with up to 10 years of imprisonment, and illegal cattle smuggling can attract up to 7 years of imprisonment.
He emphasized that society plays a crucial role in the functioning of gaushalas. The government can provide support and resources, but service and dedication come from society. He appealed to panchayats, voluntary organizations, and youth to contribute towards making their village cow shelters self-reliant.
On this occasion, former Minister of State Sh. Subhash Sudha and other dignitaries were present.
