Cattle rearing faces threat by ‘Gau Raksha’ measures
Rajasthan government increased stamp duty on cattle safety in the recent times. Now, the same govt is hiking taxes on alcohol, again, towards cattle protection, or Gau Rakshan in other words. We are sure people may have no objections to extra taxes being levied on alcohol and even if there is, one may not even express/demonstrate it. But, so far the state hasn’t elaborated on how it would use the money thus collected for cattle protection. In the days to come, cattle protection as a reason may see more taxes being levied on many services/products across many states in North India.
At the same time, the government needs inform the public about how it would use the cattle protection money collected under various headers. Collecting funds in the name of cattle is happening in the country for the first time ever in the history of the country. Does that mean the cattle weren’t safe so far? Did any expert submit any report regarding diminishing number of cattle or declared cattle as endangered species? The farmers who rear these cattle never took to streets seeking protection for cattle. Why would the govt take up this task? Cattle are not wild animals that live on the fringes of the forest. What is government’s ‘self-goal’ in working on this purpose? Cattle are not animals that can safeguard themselves in wilderness. Their lives are intertwined with those of farmers or those who rear them. In fact history reveals that India is always known for cattle rearing than cattle protection. Gau Rakshaks are not the reason for the safety of the cattle breed. The farmers have been breeding cattle as part of their livelihood. Cattle rearing has more economic reasons to be carried out, than the religious ones. Farmers would naturally care for cattle till dairy farming remains a profitable business. When it goes downhill, the farmers cannot afford to keep the animals for the love of it. At this juncture the government will have to step in for the rescue operations and save the cows. Keeping dairy farming profitable is the lone option to ensure cattle safety. At one stage, the very cows have turned into a challenge for the farmers. But for BJP govt, cows are a matter of emotional importance. The farmers who are rearing cows have become victims of govt policies around cow rearing.
Cattle are the property of farmers who reserve the right to sell them or when to dispose them off because he has invested his precious and rare financial resources on them. Other aspects of dairy farming are profitable too. While milk and its by products can yield good profit, the cow dung makes for excellent fertilizer. This does not mean all cows need to provide milk to justify their lifetime. While there are cows, there are Oxen too. These days, nobody uses the ox to till or plough the field. And when cattle stop being productive, they sell them to traders since rearing them after that point becomes a liability for the owner. With the money they get from selling the cows, they provide food for more cattle in their sheds. Hence farmers sell the cows that stop being useful, just so that they can provide for other cows. Poor people sell cows to make for their expenses whenever they need resources or to meet any sudden need for funds. This also has another strategy. Beef is packed with rare proteins that other meats lack. It is also the most economic meat that easily available. Long ago, even the poor would serve beef at their family functions. The logic of consuming beef would contributed to cattle turning into rare animals, itself lacks a solid argument. Because farmers do not rear cows for meat, but meat is procured only when the cows are slaughtered at the butcher’s for the very purpose. These are the cows that have been given up on, by their owners. The govt is planning on opening Cow Rescue centres or Gaushalas. This would rob the farmers of one source of income, if the cattle are forcefully taken away. Goshalas are a massive scam waiting to happen too. All the money collected in the name of cattle preservation would reach the deep pockets of pretentiously spiritual gurus and make the, richer. Not only this, youths forming gangs in the name of Gau Rakshaks has also crossed all limits of tolerance. Gau Rakshaks are nothing but goondas in groups, sanctioned by the government. The cattle traders have been attacked and assaulted sometimes even killed as well. If this continues, not many traders would buy cattle. And as far as the sellers are concerned, there are gory days ahead with surplus demand and no supply. This would turn the whole village economic ecosystem upside down increasing joblessness. In the days to come, it is highly possible that cow rearers or traders will turn away from this issue altogether. Till such time, it’s a free run for the others.
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CM Siddaramaiah warns of possible rainfall dip, stresses uninterrupted drinking water supply
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said there is a possibility of a five per cent decrease in rainfall this year and asked officials to ensure that drinking water supply is not affected.
The CM gave these instructions at a meeting of additional chief secretaries, principal secretaries, and secretaries of all departments held at Vidhana Soudha.
“There is a possibility of a five per cent decrease in rainfall this year. District in-charge secretaries should constantly monitor the drinking water situation in their districts. Meetings should be held with deputy commissioners and zilla panchayat chief executive officers in this regard,” Siddaramaiah said.
“It is the responsibility of the respective secretaries to resolve the problems of the districts under their jurisdiction. Drinking water supply should not be affected for any reason,” his office quoted him as saying in a statement.
Pointing out that B R Ambedkar had warned against officials appeasing politicians, as it could lead to dictatorship, the CM asked officials to work within the framework of the law.
“Give suggestions to ministers within the scope of the law. Bringing a good name to the government depends on the work of the secretaries,” he said, adding that the administration should be made more agile.
Siddaramaiah said the role of departmental secretaries is crucial for the proper functioning of the state administration, as recognised in the Constitution. “It is the duty of all secretaries to act in accordance with the Constitution. They should not do anything against it,” he said.
Referring to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s first Home Minister, Siddaramaiah said Patel had emphasised in the constituent assembly that secretaries should fearlessly and independently convey their views to ministers and not hesitate to speak the truth, even if it displeases them.
He urged senior officials to express their opinions fearlessly, independently, and truthfully.
The CM said implementing budget announcements is the responsibility of officials, noting that 15 announcements from last year’s budget are yet to be implemented. “Who is responsible for this?” he asked.
The government made a total of 565 announcements in this year’s budget, including 218 new ones, he said, adding, “It is the responsibility of officials to implement all budget announcements within the same year. They should not remain unimplemented for any reason. Bring any practical difficulties in implementation directly to my notice or that of the chief secretary.”
Out of the announcements in the 2026-27 budget, government orders have been issued for only five, he said.
“All government orders should be implemented, and execution should begin by May; otherwise, the respective secretaries will be held responsible.”
Siddaramaiah said delays in addressing public grievances could erode people’s trust in the government.
“This should not be allowed. Similarly, applications received under Sakala (a government initiative to guarantee services to citizens within a stipulated time) should be disposed of on time.”
Stating that immediate steps should be taken to fill vacant sanctioned posts, he said the finance department has approved the filling of 24,300 posts.
“There are 32,132 posts pending in cadres related to Kalyana Karnataka, and the recruitment process has not yet begun. The revision of cadre and recruitment rules is pending in some departments and should be completed at the earliest,” he said.
Under various centrally sponsored programmes, the state government released its share of Rs 22,768 crore in 2025–26, while the Centre released Rs 16,729 crore. Siddaramaiah said Rs 11,367 crore is still pending from the Centre.
He also directed officials to ensure that grants are utilised within the stipulated period.
Highlighting that contracts worth up to Rs 2 crore have been reserved for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe contractors, the chief minister said such reservations should not be bypassed by bundling works into larger packages.
“All works should be completed within the stipulated time. Construction costs should not escalate due to delays,” he added.
The chief minister also launched the new “Karnataka Progress Portal” and a handbook related to monitoring schemes, approvals, and inter-departmental coordination.
