Amid the rising cases of coronavirus infections in the country, the Uttar Pradesh government is providing thermal scanners for cows housed in the state’s ‘gaushalas’, according to the government press release.
But as per an official later, it was clarified that medical equipment was meant for people who work at the ‘gaushalas’
The Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s office released a press note saying that the state government has issued instructions to set up help desks in every district for the welfare of cows, to take forward its cow protection agenda.
The press release on cowsheds said the ‘gaushalas’ will be “equipped with all the medical equipment such as oximeters and thermal scanners for cows and other animals as well”.
However, instructions issued by the government said that all cowsheds must strictly follow the Covid-19 protocol and made wearing masks and frequent thermal screening compulsory there.
“In view of the current Covid situation, a total of 700 help desks for the welfare of cows have been set up across the districts of the state. With this, 51 oximeters and 341 thermal scanners have also been provided to ensure better animal care and testing,” it said.
The stray cows in huge numbers are being given shelter at the ‘gaushalas’ by the efforts of the Chief Minister, said the statement.
It said the government is going to increase the number of existing cow shelters to deal with stray cattle threats.
The statement also referred to “fodder banks”, set up during Adityanath’s tenure which is about 3,452 of them, feeding stray cattle.
About 5,268 cow protection centers have ensured the well-being of 5,73,417 animals so far in the state, it further said and other than these there are larger cow sanctuaries as well in the state.
The UP government gives ₹900 per month to farmers who take care of stray cattle, under the “Mukhya Mantri Besahara Gauvansh Sahbhagita Yojana”