Ahead of the upcoming assembly elections, the Eknath Shinde-led government on Monday declared desi (indigenous) cows as 'Rajyamata-Gomata'. This decision cites factors like their significance since Vedic period, an official notification said.

The other factors include the importance of indigenous cow milk in human nutrition, ayurvedic and panchgavya treatment and use of cow manure in organic farming, the government resolution, issued by the state Agriculture, Dairy Development, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Department said.

The decision underscores the cow's spiritual, scientific, and historical significance in Indian society, an official said. It highlights the integral role that cows have played in India's cultural landscape for centuries, he added. By taking this decision, the state government has underscored the agricultural benefits of cow dung, which enhances soil fertility and contributes to human nutrition and shows the government's efforts to promote sustainable farming practices, he said.

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated, "Indigenous cows are a boon for our farmers. So, we have decided to grant this ('Rajya Mata') status to them. We have also decided to extend help for the rearing of indigenous cows at Goshalas."

During a cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, the government also approved a subsidy scheme of ₹50 per day to support the rearing of indigenous cows. This initiative aims to assist Goshalas, which have struggled financially, and will be implemented online by the Maharashtra Goseva Commission. Each district will establish a District Goshala Verification Committee to oversee the process.

According to the 20th Animal Census conducted in 2019, the number of indigenous cows in Maharashtra has decreased to 4,613,632, a decline of 20.69 percent compared to the previous census.

(with agency inputs)