Interim Budget proposes Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog for cows

A woman spreads out fodder for rescued cattle at a "goushala", or a cow shelter, run by Bharatiya Gou Rakshan Parishad, an arm of Hindu nationalist group Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), at Aangaon village in the western Indian state of Maharashtra February 20, 2015. Hindu nationalists in India have stepped up attacks on the country's beef industry, seizing trucks with cattle bound for abattoirs and blockading meat processing plants in a bid to halt the trade in the world's second-biggest exporter. Picture taken February 20. REUTERS/Shailesh Andrade (INDIA - Tags: RELIGION BUSINESS ANIMALS)

The Interim Budget presented by Finance Minister Piyush Goyal in Lok Sabha on Friday proposed setting up a scheme for cows.

Mr. Goyal announced the "Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog" to improve sustainable genetic upgrading of cow resources, and to enhance production and productivity of cows.

The Aayog will also look after implementation of laws and welfare schemes for cows, Mr. Goyal said during his Budget speech.

The Budget increased the allocation for Rashtriya Gokul Mission to Rs. 750 crore. The scheme, run by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare aims to conserve and develop indigenous breeds of cattle.

In last year's Budget, the then Finance Minister Arun Jaitley extended the Kisan Credit Card scheme to animal husbandry and fisheries farmers. This year's Budget extended the benefit of 2% interest subvention to these farmers, who availed loan through the Kisan Credit Card. They are eligible for an additional 3% interest subvention if the dues are paid on time.