In a major move to protect cows in the state, Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government has allocated Rs. 20 million for setting up gaushalas (cow shelters) on the compounds of 12 district jails in the state.
Additional Director General of Prisons Chandraprakash, said “We have identified the prisons and work will be started soon. Rs 2 crore has been sanctioned for making cow shelters in jails.”
Following government’s order, 12 district prisons were chosen in Meerut, Gorakhpur, Kannauj, Sultanpur, Kanpur, Balrampur, Gautam Budh Nagar, Dehat, Firozabad, Agra, Barabanki, Sitapur and Raebareli.
In addition to this move, cow shelters will be opened in 68 out of 75 districts in the state on an expenditure of Rs 81.6 crore.
State Prison Minister Jai Kumar Singh said, “People will not only get milk but with cow dung, organic vegetables can also be produced. Our prisoners will get fresh milk and vegetables. It will also create a good environment.”
The Samajwadi Party MLC Sunil Sajan while opposing the decision reportedly said “Jails are already overpopulated and conditions of prisoners are extremely bad. This government has failed to focus on the issues that concern people.”
“The prison inmates, otherwise sitting idle, will have the prospect of serving cows. This will lead them in the right direction and to a clear concience. I appreciate this decision taken by the Yogi Adityanath government,” Mahant Nritya Gopal Dasji Maharaj, president of Ram Janma Bhoomi reportedly said in Ayodhya.
