Outsourcing gaushalas could have saved civic body crores

Sandeep Rana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 28

While the cash-starved Municipal Corporation (MC) will shell out nearly Rs2 crore on fodder in a year for its two cattle pounds at the Industrial Area, Phase I, another gaushala of the civic body in the city is being operated by an NGO without a penny being spent by the MC.

Had the MC expressed an interest in allotting the two cattle pounds through an open tender to an NGO, wastage of crores would have been avoided.

“We have raised the issue in the MC House several times, but they did not bother to pay heed. They should invite all interested social organisations or other agencies to operate the cattle pounds. There are NGOs, like the one operating the Sector 45 gaushala, which can come to the MC’s rescue,” said Devinder Singh Babla, leader of the Opposition.

Vinod Kumar, vice-president of the NGO operating the Sector 45 gaushala, said: “The operation of cattle pounds should be handed over to NGOs through an open tender. People like us are ready to look after the MC’s cattle pounds. There are around 1,000 head of cattle in our gaushala and they are mostly taken care of with donations. A large number of visitors buy fodder for the cattle and pay for it.”

The civic body has 1,100 head of cattle and Rs90.52 lakh has been allowed for green fodder and Rs1.02 crore for dry fodder by the corporation. A visit to these cattle pounds showed they were not even well-maintained. The MC staff finds tough to even dispose of the cow dung.

Chander Kant, Gau Seva Pramukh, Punjab, said: “Gaushalas are self-reliant. One can have machines for making diyas and flower pots with cow dung. It can also be used in cremation with wood. It is good for the environment and we can save trees too. We are ready to offer training.”

Meanwhile, Mayor Raj Bala Malik said the MC would look into the proposals regarding operating the cattle pounds through some NGOs when the new spacious gaushala in Raipur Kalan was ready.