‘Farmers responsible for calves for first three months’

Minister of State for Animal Husbandry Prabhu Chauhan on Monday, said, "The farmers should compulsorily take care of their calves for the first three months. Later, they can handover them to Goshaalas, if they are not able to nurture them."

Speaking to reporters here, Chauhan said, "I learnt that the farmers are abandoning the calves too early. There is no provision to sell the calves as Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Act, 2020, is implemented. The farmers should ensure that the calves, either male or female, are with their mothers for a few months. The officials should convince the farmers in this regard. Awareness should be created on the Act among the people."

"As the number of Goshaalas is expected to increase, care should be taken to ensure that there is no fodder shortage. Encroached gomaalas should be vacated immediately. As there are allegations that quarrying is undertaken on gomaala lands, the respective deputy commissioners should immediately convene meetings and take steps to vacate encroachments," the minister stressed.

Animal Welfare Board, a first of its kind, would be constituted in Karnataka to prevent cruelty to animals, he said.

A meat processing unit would be established on 20 acres land, under NABARD, at Cheelanahalli in Sira taluk, Tumakuru district, he said.