BJP fights for cows, but gaushalas get little funds

Budget Of Animal Welfare Board Slashed For 4th Year In Row
The cow may have been hogging much political and media attention of late, with a Vishwa Hindu Parishad fringe group even asking for a ministry for cow welfare, buton the ground it is as neglected as any other stray animal, particularly if it’s ‘unproductive’.
In 2016-17, the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) saw its budget being cut for the fourth consecutive year. Established to ensure the implementation of animal welfare laws like the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960, the board–directly funded by the environment ministry –is the only central agency providing grants to animal welfare organization. The bulk of these grants goes to gaushalas sheltering old, infertile and sick cows as well as those confiscated by the police while being transported for slaughter, in states where slaughter is banned.
An analysis of the ministry’s budget allocations to the board shows drastic cuts in recent years, falling from Rs 26.7 crore in 2012-13 to Rs 11 crore in 2016-17.Consequently, the board has given less to various animal welfare organizations . An analysis of over 7,600 ‘fund-release’ entries on the board’s website shows the amount has steadily declined since 2011-12, falling from Rs 21.7 crore to Rs 7.8 crorein 2015-16, a 64% cutover aperiod of five years.
Board member N G Jayasimha confirmed that “about 80% of the total animal welfare funding goes to gaushalas”. Animal welfare organization with names clearly suggesting they are working for cow protection got more than 65% of the funds released during the nine-year period analysed by TOI. Such organization have also seen a significant cut in funding from Rs 14.6 crore in 2011-12 to Rs 6.3 crorein 2015-16.
About 60% of the money released by the board in the past nine years was given to three states – Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh (including Chhattisgarh) and Haryana. Of the Rs148.5 crore released, Rajasthan got Rs 45.3 crore, undivided Madhya Pradesh Rs 22.6 crore and Haryana Rs 20.9 crore. Gaushalas received over 80% of the total funds in each of these states with the share touching 97.7% in Haryana. “Cattle which have become old, infertile and disabled are sentto gaushalas in these states, so there are more animals to be taken care of,” said board chairman RM Kharb.
If the cows laughter ban is more strictly enforced in variousstates, the need for upkeep of unproductive cattle would increase, but there’s no comparable hike in funds. Sources in the environment ministry said that following the implementation of the finance commission recommendations, state governments are getting more money from central taxes and so should be spending more on schemes like animal welfare.
Theimpact of lowfunding is more pronounced during natural calamities like the recent drought. Several states in 2014 and 2015 got inadequate rainfall affecting a large number of cattle. Money released for cattle affected by natural calamities by the board is among the lowest for these drought years. Rs 2 lakh was released in 2014-15 and Rs 6 lakh in 2015-16.