Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday announced that his government will set up a cow welfare ministry to ensure that cattle in the state are treated well. “I have reason to believe that the Cow Protection Board in the state should be turned into a full-fledged ministry,” Mr Chouhan said at an event attended by Digambar Jain monk Vidhyasagarji Maharaj in Khajuraho.
“The government releases small funds to the (MPGEPS) board. An independent ministry will work in a better way to serve cows,” the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said.
MPGEPSB executive council chairman Swami Akhileshwaranand welcomed the announcement and said he had recommended for the creation of such a ministry. Akhileshwaranand enjoys cabinet rank status in the state government by virtue of this post.
The state is slated for assembly polls later this year.
