Taking serious cognizance of the news published in a newspaper, the Punjab Government clarified that there is no paucity of funds for the upkeep of Gaushalas (Cattle Pounds). A total amount of Rs. 43.85 crore has been spent by the Government of Punjab for the construction of sheds and for the up keep of the animals kept in all the 20 Cattle Pounds in the state.
Disclosing this in a press communiqué, Vijay Kumar Janjua, Additional Chief Secretary of the Animal Husbandry Department said that the State Government will also spend additional Rs 20 crore for the construction of new sheds in these Cattle Pounds in near future. He said that at present approximately10,024 animals are being managed in these cattle pounds.
While divulging upon the motive behind setting up of Gaushalas in the state , ACS, Animal Husbandry said that keeping in view the seriousness of the menace of stray animals and as per the decision taken by CMM in its meeting September 24, 2014 the Punjab Government has established cattle pounds in all the districts with a capacity of keeping 2000 stray animals in each district. These cattle pounds are managed by “District Animal Welfare Societies” constituted under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner of concerned district.
These societies were to identify atleast 25 acres of panchayati land for construction of cattle pounds, but due to non availability of sufficient panchayati land in some districts, construction of cattle pounds have been continued on about 15 to 25 acres of land in 20 districts of the state. Janjua said that as per the drawings of original plan prepared by Chief Architect, Punjab for the construction of cattle pounds, 6 cattle sheds per cattle pound (Total 22×6=132 cattle sheds) were to be constructed. In each cattle shed 300-325 animals can be kept.
