Nine officials, including two deputy directors, of the Chhattisgarh animal husbandry department have been suspended amid allegations that close to 200 cows have died in about one week at three shelters, one of which is run by a local BJP leader.
Chhattisgarh Rajya Gau Sewa Ayog chairman Bisheshar Patel said that 52 deaths had taken place at Shagun gaushala in Rajpur village of Durg district, 106 at Phoolchand gaushala and 15 at Mayuri gaushala in Godmarra and Rano villages respectively of the Bemetara district.
Taking cognisance, State Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Minister Brijmohan Agrawal has suspended nine officers of the department for “negligence in discharging their duties” and issued a show cause notice to Gau Sewa Aayog’s secretary, a government statement said.
Those suspended include the department’s deputy directors in Durg and Bemetara and seven veterinarians.
The action was taken based on the preliminary finding that indicated grave negligence on the part of these officers, the government statement said. The minister has also sought a report within three days on the condition of all cow shelters in the state, it said.
Chhattisgarh BJP leader Harish Verma was arrested on 19 August after nearly 200 cows were reportedly found dead at his government-aided gaushala in Durg district. Verma blamed the BJP-led state government for not providing him with enough funds to take care of the cows.
Soon after, over 100 more cows were found dead in gaushalas of Rano and Godmarra villages in Chhattisgarh.
Video Editor: Mohd Ibrahim
(With inputs from PTI)
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