After the shocking plight of cows kept at a private trust-run goshala (cow shelter) near the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple sparked widespread outrage on Tuesday, the Animal Husbandry Department stepped in on Wednesday to improve the conditions at the shelter.
Acting on the instructions of Animal Husbandry Minister K. Raju, Kerala Feeds Limited (KFL) delivered 15 bags of premium cattle feed to the shelter on Wednesday. Mr. Raju, who visited the shelter accompanied by officials of the KFL and the Dairy Development Department, said the cattle would be examined by a team of vets.
“They will prescribe whatever medicines are needed. Based on their recommendations it would also be decided whether the government should take over the facility,” Mr. Raju said.
Meanwhile, KFL managing director B. Sreekumar said the KFL is ready to continue the supply of feed if needed.
“As the lone PSU in the animal husbandry sector, we are prepared to supply cattle feed required by the shelter. If no solution is found to the problem, we are willing to continue to provide feed to ensure that the cows are not left starving,” he said.
“It is unfortunate to see so many cows and calves, most of them of pure native breed, in such a pathetic condition,” he added.
Pathetic conditions
The pathetic conditions at the shelter run by the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple Goshala Trust had come to light during a surprise inspection by Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran on Tuesday. The Minister visited the facility following complaints about the poor upkeep of the animals.
The goshala, which supplies milk to the temple, is home to 19 cows and 12 calves.
After his visit on Wednesday, the Animal Husbandry Minister said the sights there were shocking. The government will not tolerate animal abuse. The cows and calves were being kept in a shed that lacked even a proper roof. All this reveals the sheer negligence shown by the trust in the upkeep of the facility, Mr. Raju said.
Witnessing the plight of the animals on Tuesday, the Devaswom Minister had instructed the Executive Officer of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple to take steps to arrange adequate feed for the cattle.
