Dhami cabinet approves new cow shelter policy to address stray cattle issue

PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun

Uttarakhand government has formulated a policy to construct cow shelters on a large scale by involving private players to solve the problem of stray cattle in the State.  A decision in this regard was taken in the meeting of the State cabinet chaired by chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami at the State secretariat on Friday.

Informing about the decision, the Animal Husbandry secretary BVRC Purushottam said that there are an estimated 16,000 stray cattle in the State. He said that cow shelters will be constructed by a district level committee headed by district magistrates. He said that Uttarakhand provides a sum of Rs 80 per day per cattle for the cow shelters. He further informed that non-governmental organisations and individuals can also construct cow shelters by spending 60 per cent of the budget required. The department will provide the remaining 40 per cent budget. Purushottam said that the department is planning to build 89 cow shelters in the State and out of them work has started on construction of 15 cow shelters. 

In another important decision, the cabinet approved the Uttarakhand Poultry Development policy -2025. Purushottam said that the policy has been designed to attract large investors in the poultry sector in the State.  The policy aims to remove the shortfall of 15,444 lakh eggs and 395 lakh kg poultry meat in the state every year. Under the policy commercial layer farms and broiler parent farms will be set up in the state. Purushottam said that 40 per cent subsidy will be given on setting up a large poultry farm in mountainous areas and 30 per cent in the plain areas.

The secretary claimed that an investment of Rs 85 crore is expected in the poultry sector in the State. 

In another decision, the cabinet approved the work plan prepared by the McKinsey company for improving the financial condition of Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) and augmenting its operational capabilities. Secretary Shailesh Bagauli said that the objective of the plan is to reduce distribution and transmission losses, conditioning the cost of power purchase and improving the performance of the corporation by investment of capital. The first objective of the plan is to strengthen the financial condition of UPCL by reducing the market pendency which is of the tune of Rs 5,000 crore and eliminating the losses of the last six years.  The plan also envisages to reduce distribution and transmission losses which at present is highest in Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar districts.

The cabinet also approved the guidelines for implementing the Uttarakhand Juvenile Justice corpus policy -2024. A decision to formulate Street children policy was also taken in the meeting. 

The cabinet also approved the proposal to select a firm for technical, operation and maintenance for the Tapowan ( Rishikesh) to Kunjapuri ( Narendranagar) ropeway project.

In another decision the cabinet gave its consent for the amendments in the fire safety norms for the commercial establishment having less than 500 square metre covered area and buildings having less than 12 metre elevation from ground. The cabinet also approved the regulations for the virtual registration process of the sale deeds. In another important decision the cabinet approved the proposal to set up Uttarakhand Dharmasva evam Teerthatam Parishad.

Cabinet greets armed forces on success of Operation Sindoor

 PIONEER NEWS SERVICE : The Uttarakhand cabinet in its meeting held at the State secretariat on Friday greeted the armed forces of the country on the success of the Operation Sindoor. A proposal for expressing gratitude to the Indian Army, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence ministry was passed by the cabinet headed by chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami in the meeting of the State cabinet.

It said that the Operation Sindoor highlights the valour, bravery and strategic ability of the armed forces. The operation has emerged as an example of security, integrity and inner strength of India.  The cabinet expressed its firm belief that the Operation Sindoor will act as a source of inspiration for coming generations. The cabinet authorised the CM to send the proposal to the union government and the ministry of defence.