Stray cattle remain among top priorities of the Yogi government with this year’s budget also earmarking a major chunk of funds for feeding them and construction of more conservation centres in the state.
A budget of ₹123 crore is also proposed for strengthening veterinary hospitals/animal service centres. (For Representation)
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The Buget-2025-26 presented in the assembly on Thursday proposed allocation of ₹2,000 crore to maintain stray cattle and another ₹140 crore to establish 140 large cow conservation centres during the forthcoming financial year.
The previous year’s budget had provided ₹1,000 crore for stray cattle maintenance, though the same was revised upwardly in the middle of the year when the government decided to increase the daily maintenance allowance from ₹30 to ₹50 per cattle.
“A budget of ₹2,000 crore is proposed to maintain stray cows while ₹140 crore is proposed to establish large cow conservation centers. A budget of ₹123 crore is also proposed for strengthening veterinary hospitals/animal service centres,” finance minister Suresh Khanna said in his Budget speech.
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As per the Budget speech, around 12.50 lakh stray cattle are protected/conserved in a total 7713 cow shelters across the state. As many as 1.63 lakh stray cattle were handed over to over 1 lakh cattle keepers under the Mukhyamantri Nirashrit Govansh Sahbhagita Yojana and Poshan Mission.
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As per the Budget speech, around 12.50 lakh stray cattle are protected/conserved in a total 7713 cow shelters across the state. As many as 1.63 lakh stray cattle were handed over to over 1 lakh cattle keepers under the Mukhyamantri Nirashrit Govansh Sahbhagita Yojana and Poshan Mission.
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Last year’s Budget put the number of stray cattle and cow protection centres at 14.38 lakh and 7,239 cow shelters besides 303 large centres.
The original Budget last year allocated ₹3,589 crore against ₹4,300 cr this year. However, the allocation was later revised to ₹4,590 crore when the state government decided to increase the daily cow maintenance allowance last year.
Brajendra K Parashar is a Senior Journalist with the Hindustan Times, based in Lucknow, with nearly three decades of experience covering governance, public policy, politics and development in Uttar Pradesh. Over the years, he has reported extensively on key sectors, including energy and renewable power, mobility and transport, road safety, agriculture and allied sectors and issues related to farmers, rural development, taxation under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and public administration. A seasoned political correspondent, Parashar closely tracks the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and has covered every major election in Uttar Pradesh right from three-tier panchayat elections and urban local body polls to Assembly and Lok Sabha elections. He also reports regularly on the proceedings of the Uttar Pradesh Legislature, bureaucracy, governance, policy decisions and administrative developments with focus on their impact on public life. His reporting is known for its strong analytical approach, extensive use of official data. His areas of interests include investigative journalism, long-form political and policy analysis, data-driven reporting, elections and institutional reforms. Parashar holds a postgraduate degree in Political Science with First Division from Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), followed by a Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication from the same university. His inclination towards journalism began during his student days, when he regularly contributed letters to editors and articles to newspapers and magazines. In the mid-1990S, his essay, “Should India Switch Over to the Presidential Form Of Government?”, published in Politics India magazine edited by noted constitutional expert Subhash C Kashyap, was adjudged the best entry in a national competition. His work has received professional recognition, including the Hindustan Times Journalist of the Month Award for an impactful series on drinking water issues during the 2010 Lok Sabha election campaign. Originally from Kasganj in western Uttar Pradesh, Parashar is currently based in Lucknow where continues to report on politics, governance and public policy.
