Act against stray cattle menace to save crops, BKU urges Punjab government

Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, July 10

Bharti Kisan Union-Lakhowal (BKU) has called upon the state government to take effective steps against stray and pet cattle roaming in towns and villages to save crops and forests from damages.

BKU general secretary Harinder Singh Lakhowal said the successive governments in the past had been collecting huge funds in the name of cow cess but no worthwhile efforts had been made to address the crucial issue of stray animals roaming freely on roads and other areas in cities and villages.

Addressing a press conference after the monthly meeting of the union here, he said even massive plantation drives initiated by the government and other bodies also failed to yield the desired results due to damages caused to saplings and trees by the stray cattle which were left to roam freely.

Supporting the demand of sugar cane growers, the BKU general secretary asked the government to release their entire arrears without any further delay and evolve a comprehensive policy for the purchase of basmati, moong and maize crops at the MSP. At the same time, farmers who had to make distress sale of the moong crop be adequately compensated, he said.

The BKU came down heavily upon voices being raised in support of giving land to Haryana for a separate assembly and high court while reiterating that Chandigarh was an integral part of Punjab and if Haryana wanted its separate assembly and high court, it was welcome to do so within its own state.

Lakhowal said the government proposal to construct a textile park adjoining the forest land in Mattewara would spell disaster for the environment and the Sutlej. The BKU resolved to extend its whole-hearted support to any kind of fight or struggle against the destruction of the forest and flood plains of the Sutlej.