New Delhi: The Congress government in Madhya Pradesh has decided to expand its ‘Project Gaushala’ scheme, under which corporate businesses and non-resident Indians were allowed to adopt cows, to all individuals.According to the Indian Express, people can choose to adopt a cow and pay for its needs for anything between 15 days and the cow’s lifetime. The cost starts at Rs 1,100 for 15 days and goes up to Rs 3 lakh for a lifetime. There are also monthly and annual packages available.The Kamal Nath government has been making an effort to be seen as ‘cow-friendly’, and even said that it has done a better job of looking after cows than the Bharatiya Janata Party. In January, the state government said it would be adding 1,000 new gaushalas, as the BJP government hadn’t opened any news ones during its 15-year tenure.In July last year, India’s oldest cow sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh had said that it does not have the resources to take in any more cows.Also read: How the Congress Is Normalising Soft-Hindutva in Madhya PradeshAn official from the animal husbandry department told the Indian Express that a website and mobile application are being developed, through with people can make their donations for cow welfare. Donor will be choosing a specific cow to take care of instead of just donating to a shelter. “They will be able to choose the one nearest to their home and can check on progress,” the officer said.The Rajasthan government has launched a similar ‘adopt a cow’ scheme, and said that people who do so will be felicitated. Though it was made public after the Congress was elected in the state, The Wire has reported that the directorate was formulated during the previous BJP government.
