The Allahabad High Court has called for a detailed response from the Uttar Pradesh government regarding the management and conditions of cow shelters across the state. The request emerged during a session on Friday where the court scrutinized the adequacy of care and facilities provided to cattle housed in these shelters.
A public interest litigation (PIL) initiated by Archana Singh Tomar prompted the court’s inquiry, leading to a directive issued by Justices Rajan Roy and Om Prakash Shukla. They have specifically requested the presence of the director of the animal husbandry department via video-conferencing for the next hearing scheduled for September 25.
During the proceedings, concerns were raised about the nutritional adequacy of the feed provided to the cattle, which reportedly costs Rs 30 per day per animal. The bench expressed interest in understanding what exactly is included in this daily feed, questioning whether it meets the necessary standards for cattle nutrition.
Further, the court sought insights into the overall mechanisms governing the operation of the cow shelters. This includes queries about staffing, the number of functional shelters, and the execution of their daily operations. The state’s lawyer responded by noting that there are currently 605 active cowsheds in Uttar Pradesh, each receiving a stipulated sum for cattle fodder.
Additionally, the Justices inquired about any recent surveys conducted to assess the condition and availability of pastures in village areas, concerned about potential reductions or disappearances of these vital grazing grounds.
The court also extended its inquiries to the Lucknow Municipal Corporation, seeking details about the management of Kanji House and Kanha Upvan, specific cow shelters located within the city.
