Don’t abandon cows, use insurance scheme: Minister

Bhamashah Livestock Insurance Scheme, in force since July 23, facilitates cattle raisers in Raj to insure their cattle on subsidised premium rates

Cattle raisers must use the state’s new insurance scheme for livestock and ensure that cows are not abandoned once they stop giving milk, agriculture and animal husbandry minister Prabhu Lal Saini said on Saturday.

Agriculture and animal husbandry minister Prabhu Lal Saini inspects Hingonia cow rehab centre. (HT Photo)

“Till it gives milk, the cow is considered Gau Mata. After that, they are left in the lurch. It is a wrong practice,” he told HT, reacting to recent large-scale deaths of cows in a rehabilitation centre near the state capital.

More than 500 cows died at Hingonia cow rehabilitation centre in the past two weeks amid a strike by its workers demanding payment of pending wages.

Expressing concern over the cow deaths, Saini pointed out that the government recently launched the Bhamashah Livestock Insurance Scheme. In force since July 23, the scheme facilitates cattle raisers across the state to insure their cattle on subsidized premium rates.

Being implemented by Rajasthan Livestock Development Board through United India Insurance Company, it aims to make cattle raisers economically strong, he added. The policy covers cow, bull, buffalo, male-buffalo calf, camel, horse, goat, sheep, donkey and pig for years ranging from one and three.

The death of the cattle needs to be informed to the insurance firm in person or through phone calls, email or SMS. The company, using the Bhamashah platform, will directly credit the 100% claim amount in cattle raiser’s account, Saini added.