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Indian State Plans to Tax Citizens to Protect Stray Cows - Reports

With India’s ruling right-wing alliance patronising vigilante cow-protection groups, the population of stray cows has grown considerably, with farmers alleging that their produce is being eaten up by desolate hungry cattle. To ensure their welfare, the state government in Uttar Pradesh has imposed a new tax on citizens.
Sputnik

New Delhi (Sputnik) — Amid protests and concerns raised by farmers about their crops are being ravaged by stray cattle, the government of the state of Uttar Pradesh in India has decided to levy a new tax on its citizens to provide for the welfare of cows in the state. The Uttar Pradesh cabinet, on the first day of the new year, approved a proposal to levy a 2% 'Cow Welfare Cess', a state government spokesperson told the media.

The money will be used to construct shelters for the cows in all districts, villages and municipalities. A budget of Rs 1 billion (about 142 million USD) has been allocated to local bodies to construct shelter for cattle, the spokesperson added.

READ MORE: Indian Village Celebrates Unique Cow Dung Splashing Ritual 'Gore Habba' (VIDEO)

Indian Police Launch Investigation Into Mob Violence Triggered by Cow Slaughter
Last week, farmers in Gorai, a village in Uttar Pradesh's Aligarh district, resorted to a unique way of protesting against the growing burden of stray cows. They forcibly locked more than 800 stray cows inside a government school and a primary health centre.

"The cows are destroying crops. We've been demanding cow shelters but no action is being taken by the government" one of the protesting farmers said, as quoted by ANI.

The incident took a violent turn when officials tried to resolve the impasse by transporting the stray cows to shelter homes. However, cow vigilantes attacked the trucks carrying these cows and police had to resort to using electric batons to control the situation.

"We've received complaints that villagers have locked stray cows in a school and a health centre. I have directed the SDM (sub-divisional magistrate) to visit Gorai. Village heads will be given the responsibility to solve the issue. We are in the process of constructing cow shelters in various villages," CB Singh, District Magistrate of Aligarh, told media at the time of the incident.

 

 

 

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