Yogi Adityanath government allots Rs 447 crore for cow protection in Uttar Pradesh

The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has allotted a total of Rs. 447 crores out of the state budget for the maintenance of cows. 

Out of the total, Rs. 247.60 crore has been granted for the maintenance of cow-shelters in rural areas and Rs. 200 crore for 'Kanha Gaushala and Besahara Pashu Ashram' in urban areas.

Last week, chief minister Yogi Adityanath directed the officials in the state to use radio frequency identification technology to scan the tags to keep a track of the stray cows. And ordered to use unoccupied government buildings to provide them with shelter. Whereas in December 

In December, he had also ordered clearing of grazing grounds in different parts of the state from encroachments.

In a meeting with senior officials, the chief minister told them to set up a committee to consider measures for providing better shelter facilities for stray cows and directed Chief Secretary Anup Chanda Pandey to present recommendations in this regard in a week.

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The Uttar Pradesh government also announced on Thursday a new scheme in the 2019-20 budget to raise the health and educational standards of girls.

The Kanya Sumangala Yojna will be implemented by the state women and child welfare department.

"A new scheme, namely Kanya Sumangala Yojna, is being started from the next financial year with a view to raise health and educational standard of girls, brighten their future, bring in a positive change in the thinking towards women and instil a sense of respect towards them," Finance Minister Rajesh Agarwal said in his budget speech.

"An amount of Rs 1,200 crore proposed in the budget for this purpose," the finance minister said.

Apart from this, Rs 4,004 crore has been proposed for a nutrition programme. A provision of Rs 1,410 crore has been made in the budget for the sustenance of destitute widows and education of their children, Agarwal said.

He said Rs 1,988 crore had been proposed to ensure payment of honorarium to anganwadi workers and assistants.

A budgetary provision of Rs 335 crore for the National Nutrition Mission and another Rs 200 crore for Shabari Sankalp Abhiyan, the state budget said.

"A provision of Rs 156 crore under the Kishori Balika Yojna and Rs 103.70 crore has been proposed for Mahila Samman Kosh," he said.   

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(With PTI inputs)