CM Rekha Gupta releases ₹20.26 crore for cow welfare; gaushalas get lease extensions and biogas support

Stray cattle to get safer shelter; 10 modern gaushalas to be developed in first phase

Protection of stray animals, especially abandoned cows, is essential in the Capital: CM Rekha Gupta

New Delhi, March 2026 : In a significant push to strengthen animal welfare and ensure better care for stray cattle in the Capital, the Delhi government has announced a series of measures aimed at supporting gaushalas and improving infrastructure. Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta, at an event held at the Chief Minister’s Jan Seva Sadan on Monday, handed over lease extension certificates to gaushalas, reaffirming the government’s commitment to the service, protection and welfare of cows. Financial assistance was also provided for setting up modern biogas infrastructure at these facilities.

The Chief Minister distributed orders related to fodder payments, clearance of pending dues, and renewal of licenses and lease agreements to representatives of four gaushalas operating under the Delhi government’s Animal Husbandry Unit. These gaushalas, located in Sultanpur Dabas, Rewla Khanpur, Harewali and Surhera, are responsible for the care, feeding and medical treatment of stray cattle brought in by local bodies.

Under this initiative, the Delhi government has released a total of approximately ₹20.26 crore. This includes ₹7.64 crore towards pending liabilities for the period from June 2024 to March 2025, and ₹12.62 crore towards fodder expenses from April 2025 to January 2026. In addition, long-pending licenses and lease agreements of all four gaushalas have been renewed, ensuring uninterrupted food supply, safe shelter and improved veterinary care for the cattle. The initiative also aims to promote clean energy generation through the use of cow dung, while strengthening environmental sustainability and sanitation.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta said the government remains fully committed to ensuring proper care of stray cattle and is taking concrete steps through gaushalas to achieve this. She added that, in the first phase, special focus is being placed on developing 10 modern gaushalas where proper service, protection and welfare of stray cows will be ensured. The government aims to equip 40 gaushalas with all necessary facilities in the near future, expanding this model of service, clean energy generation and sanitation across the city.

The Chief Minister said the government sees gaushalas not merely as animal shelters, but as centres of service and compassion. She stressed that protecting stray animals, particularly abandoned cows, is essential in a city like Delhi. Praising the role of gaushalas, she said they provide not just shelter but also nutrition and medical care to these voiceless animals.

Gupta further noted that the release of pending funds and renewal of long-delayed licenses reflects the government’s intent to remove any financial or administrative hurdles in the service of cattle. “We want gaushala managements to focus entirely on animal care without any concern,” she said, adding that it is the government’s responsibility to ensure that no animal is left neglected on the streets and that they are able to live with dignity.

She also emphasised that effective management of gaushalas cannot rely on government funding alone, but requires sustained cooperation between the government and society, along with a strong sense of compassion. The government aims to equip gaushalas with modern facilities and improved veterinary services to ensure better care for the cattle. The initiative, she said, goes beyond financial assistance and sends a clear message that the Delhi government is fully committed to animal rights and humane treatment.

Going forward, the government will work with gaushala managements to introduce new technologies and improve fodder management systems. Representatives of the gaushalas present at the event expressed gratitude for the timely financial assistance and support, and reaffirmed their commitment to the welfare and protection of cattle.