Madhya Pradesh government under the leadership on Chief Minister Kamal Nath is considering a proposal to levy cow tax in the state in order to generate gaushala funds.
Congress leader Kamal Nath had promised to open gaushalas in every panchayat before the elections in the state. But the plan failed to take off as the state government grappled with funds — in the first phase, it had announced the establishment of one thousand gaushalas. He expressed displeasure at the slow pace of work on building 1,000 gaushalas (cow shelters).
The Kamal Nath-led government now has decided to impose a cow cess in order to collect the required funds for the establishment of cowsheds.
As quoted in a report of News18, Animal Husbandry Minister Lakhan Singh Yadav said, “We are definitely planning to impose a fresh tax on cow conservation,” adding that fresh census has revealed there are over 10 lakh stray cows in the state and their care requires massive funds.
Reportedly, the government’s treasury has died due to the damage caused by heavy rains and floods this year. Therefore, new ways of raising funds for gaushalas are being considered.