Odisha Govt To Set Up 200 ‘Goshalas’ In 5 Yrs, Says Fisheries & ARD Minister

Bhubaneswar: Odisha government has set a target for the establishment of over 200 ‘goshalas’ over the next five years and is providing up to 90 per cent subsidy to private entities for the purpose, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development minister Gokulananda Mallik informed the assembly on Wednesday.

Addressing the House during the Question Hour, Mallik said one can avail of around 90 per cent subsidy for establishing a goshala. Besides, the government is providing a food subsidy of Rs 54 per day per cattle.

He requested all the 147 MLAs in the assembly cutting across party lines to set up at least one goshala each.

The minister said 94 private and one government-run goshala have been established in 70 blocks of 28 districts in the state.

The state government has been providing financial assistance (90 per cent of actual cost) to animal welfare organisations and urban local bodies (ULBs) for setting up goshalas, he said.

Besides, the government has made a provision for financial assistance of Rs 20 lakh for a stray cattle shelter or goshala of unit size of 50 animals, the minister stated.

Financial assistance of Rs 20,000 per annum will be provided to a goshala to maintain one adult cattle of 350 kg body weight, he added.