"In our culture, cows have religious significance. The cow has been given the status of the mother in religious texts," Khattar said on Monday at the closing ceremony of the Haryana Livestock Exhibition- 2023 in Charkhi Dadri, where one of the proposed polyclinics will be built.
Apart from increasing the budget for the 'Haryana Gau Seva Aayog' to Rs 400 crore from Rs 40 crore for the fiscal year 2023-24, the state government is making concerted efforts to protect cattle, according to the chief minister.
The exhibition was also visited by Khattar, according to a government statement. Animal Husbandry, Agriculture, and Farmers' Welfare Minister JP Dalal, as well as BJP state unit chief Om Prakash Dhankhar, were in attendance.
During his speech, Khattar stated that the state budget includes funding for a new 'Sanjhi Dairy' project. A shed will be built on panchayat land for cattle owners who do not have enough space to keep their animals under this project.
The Cooperative department will handle the work, and the scheme will go into effect on April 1, according to Khattar. He stated that the government has enacted strict laws to protect cattle and urged panchayats and other institutions to assist in providing shelter for destitute cows. He stated that if grants are required, the government will provide them.
He also urged livestock owners and farmers to diversify their businesses beyond traditional farming, such as beekeeping, fisheries, and floriculture, and to establish small-scale food processing industries. He stated that the government is prepared to provide the necessary assistance.
Dalal stated that the exhibition's goal is to educate farmers and cattle ranchers about new techniques that can be used to increase milk production and, thus, income.