Dilip Ghosh urge gaushalas for cattle intake to curb animal slaughtering, suggests centre's grants

West Bengal’s newly appointed Minister for Animal Resources Development (ARD), Dilip Ghosh, chaired a pivotal high-level administrative review meeting at the 'Prani Sampad Bhawan' in Salt Lake to address livestock security. Alongside ARD Principal Secretary Rajesh Kumar Sinha, the minister issued strict, comprehensive operational guidelines to regional District Magistrates (DMs) to launch a zero-tolerance offensive against illegal cattle slaughter and rampant cross-border trafficking networks.

The closed-door departmental briefing witnessed active participation from several prominent 'gaubhakts' (cow devotees) and cattle traders. The traders raised critical logistical and financial concerns during the interaction, pointing out that they had already purchased cattle through legal means, but if administrative restrictions prevented them from selling or transporting the livestock, it would impose a crushing financial burden on their businesses.

Minister Dilip Ghosh officially directed Principal Secretary Rajesh Kumar Sinha to coordinate for immediate financial grants to registered gaushalas (cow shelters) across West Bengal. Furthermore, Ghosh requested several major gaushalas to immediately expand their baseline intake capacities to accommodate the rescued livestock. Following the minister’s direct appeal, several gaushalas stepped forward and formally agreed to buy the surplus cattle from the distressed traders.