Goshala deaths
The State government has ordered an inquiry after the death of some cattle in the government-run goshala in Changlera village in Humnabad taluk.
Residents of Changlera have complained that 13 heads of cattle, including cows and calves, have died due to lack of fodder in the open air cattle shelter in the Sri Veerabhadreshwar temple in the village in the last two months. The latest casualty was a female calf on Tuesday afternoon. The goshala has around 140 animals, including 30 calves. The number of animals keeps increasing as devotees keep donating cows, bulls and calves to the herd.
Changlera gram panchayat member Naresh Tonte said Endowment Department officials were indifferent to the goshala’s conditions. They have not provided either fodder or water to the animals. “Our long pending demand of building a shed for the animals has not been fulfilled,” he said. He alleged that officials asked the temple committee to supply fodder worth Rs. 1 lakh on credit, but failed to pay it later.
Assistant Commissioner Sharanabasappa Katteppagol, and divisional head of the Endowment Department denies the allegations. Only around two or three cattle and three or four calves have died this year. And that too because of disease and not starvation, he said. He maintains the department has made adequate arrangements for fodder and water.
This is countered by veterinary doctors attending on the goshala animals. They swear the animals did not die of any disease. D.S. Havaldar, Deputy Director, Veterinary Department, said that veterinarians were treating the animals even though the goshala was not under their jurisdiction. “The Department of endowments is supposed to run the cattle shelter. They are responsible for the infrastructure there,’’ said.
District in-charge Minister Eshwar Khandre told The Hindu that he will ask the Deputy Commissioner to inquire into the issue and submit a report. We will make sure that the cattle are well fed and protected, Mr. Khandre said.
