For the rehabilitation of stray cattle in Haryana, ‘gaushalas’ (shelters for cows) and ‘nandishalas’ (shelters for bulls) will be set up in gram panchayats (village
councils).

While stating this on Thursday, agriculture and farmers’ welfare minister, OP Dhankar said the Chief Minister (CM), Manohar Lal Khattar, has given in-principle approval to frame a policy for the setting up of gaushalas and nandishalas by the gram panchayats on gau charan land (land for pasture).

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Dhankar said that the concerned gram panchayats have to pass a proposal regarding the use of gau charan land. He said that thereafter, the interested agencies would be required to apply to the Gau Sewa Ayog after which their applications would be forwarded to the committees constituted at the district level under the Chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner concerned.

The minister said that the panchayats would be allowed either to utilise the land at their own level for the setting up of gaushalas and nandishalas or lease out the land to other agencies.

Dhankar said that the approval for the utilisation of land would be given in a transparent manner in the presence of officers of the concerned committee through bidding.

He said that the construction of gaushala or nandishala would have to be made within a period of one year and land to be made available for fodder would be utilized only for growing fodder.

Dhankar said that in case of single bid, an amount of Rs 5100 per acre for the setting up of gaushala and Rs 7100 per acre for fodder would have to be given.

While one acre of land would be made available for 200 to 300 cattle, two acres of land would be provided for 500 to 700 cattle, three acre for 1000 to 1200 cattle, four acres for 2000 cattle and five acres for more than 2000 cattle. The maximum lease period of land would be 15 years, he added.

The minister said gau charan land for the setting up of Nandishalas are to be given on lease for a long period, the final allotment would be approved by the state Cabinet. However, director, development and panchayats would be authorised to give land on lease at his own level for growing fodder.