Boost to Indigenous Cattle Protection; Subsidy Scheme for Cattle Rearing

Mumbai , Sept 2025 : In Maharashtra, under the Maharashtra Animal Preservation (Amendment) Act, 1995, a complete ban has been imposed on the slaughter of all bovine animals. As a result, the number of unproductive cattle, not useful for farming or milk production, has been increasing. To ensure the upkeep and care of such cattle, a scheme was approved on September 30, 2024, to provide financial assistance to registered gaushalas (cow shelters) for the preservation, protection, and promotion of indigenous cows.

Since March 4, 2015, the amended Act has been in force, banning the slaughter of all cattle, including bulls and bullocks that are unproductive for farming, carrying loads, or breeding. To support their maintenance, the state government launched a subsidy scheme offering ₹50 per cow per day for indigenous cattle housed in registered gaushalas.

Eligible institutions for this subsidy include gaushalas, gosadans, caretakers, and cow protection organizations registered with the Maharashtra Goseva Commission. To qualify, a gaushala must have at least three years of experience and house a minimum of 50 cattle. Mandatory ear-tagging of all cattle is required for identification. The institutions must also maintain accounts in a nationalized bank. Implementation is being carried out through the Maharashtra Goseva Commission, and applications must be submitted online. Institutions are also required to submit audited financial reports for the past three years.

Since maintaining unproductive cows is not financially viable for farmers, such cattle are often sheltered in gaushalas. The scheme aims to ensure financial stability for these shelters while promoting the protection of indigenous cattle. District-level committees headed by the Deputy Commissioner of Animal Husbandry have been formed to verify the gaushalas.

Subsidies are transferred directly into the institutions’ bank accounts through DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer). Before the release of the second installment, utilization certificates for the first installment must be submitted with countersignatures from district officials. Gaushalas must also register their livestock on the India Livestock System and maintain tag-wise records. Additionally, they are expected to prioritize permanent fodder arrangements through fodder cultivation, silage making, and related measures.

In FY 2024–25, subsidies worth ₹25.44 crore were distributed to 55,831 indigenous cows across 559 registered gaushalas between January and March 2025. For FY 2025–26, applications were invited for the first phase (April–September 2025). Out of 739 applications, 731 were deemed eligible, covering 87,549 indigenous cows. Subsidies will be released after district-level verification.

The state government launched this subsidy scheme in 2024–25 to strengthen gaushalas and ensure the protection of indigenous cattle, given their low productivity and financial challenges in rearing. Currently, 967 gaushalas are registered in the state. Applications are invited regularly, and eligible gaushalas receive subsidies.

– Dr. Manjusha Pundlik, Joint Commissioner of Animal Husbandry and Member Secretary, Maharashtra Goseva Commission