CCP to take care of stray cattle: CM

TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: The mammoth exercise for clearing stray cattle causing a nuisance on major district and state highways and on beaches is slated to begin from May, as disclosed by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar in the Goa Assembly Monday.
“A scheme to this effect will be notified within the next two or three days,” Parrikar said during Question Hour, in reply to Calangute MLA Michael Lobo, who expressed concern over the growing menace which often results in road accidents.
“The municipal councils and village panchayats are not in a position to execute the work of impounding stray cattle even though they have cattle pounds,” said Lobo, suggesting that the government should think of two cattle pounds – one each in North and South Goa.
Opposition Leader, Pratapsing Rane and Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte also sought for clear assurances from the government on mechanisms being put in place to deal with this long-standing problem.
In reply, the Chief Minister said that the Goa Stray Cattle Management Scheme 2013 would be notified shortly. “The scheme will be implemented for the entire State by the Corporation of the City of Panaji and whatever support is needed in terms of equipment and manpower will be provided,” Parrikar said.
Parrikar said the CCP would take care of stray cattle lurking on district and State highways and beaches and a monthly financial package of Rs 4 lakh would be given. The proposal for paying Rs 50 for informants has been scrapped.
He further said that cattle impounded would be taken to the Kale farm in Sanguem. “It is not enough to just impound the cattle but to take care of them as well and we seek cooperation of NGOs who are interested in helping out,” said Parrikar.
The chief minister however said that as far as the problem of stray cattle persisted on internal roads, it would have to be tackled by local bodies since the existing Act clearly entrusted this task to them “and the government cannot interfere in it,” the chief minister said.
He also said that village panchayats would be provided protection on request while impounding stray cattle. He however said that impounded stray cattle cannot be auctioned or slaughtered. He also agreed to a suggestion from Khaunte for a penalty clause against those leaving their cattle to loiter on roads and beaches. During the discussion, Parrikar said that with mechanisation of agriculture the problem of stray cattle had increased. He however assured the House that by May the new stray cattle management scheme would be implemented and results would be seen.