Punjab: A large number of cattle can be seen roaming freely on the roads, but the cowshed set up by the state government at Ratta Tibba village here currently has only 300 cattle while it has a total capacity of 2,000. According to sources, initially stray cattle were brought here from Muktsar, Malout and Gidderbaha towns, but no new cattle have been brought from these towns for about a year. The cowshed has adequate dry fodder available for the existing cattle. Sources further said that 10 employees and a manager are employed at the cowshed. Apart from this, the cowshed also has a large scale and a tractor. “The cowshed is located about 30 km away from both Muktsar and Malout towns. I feel there is very little awareness about it among the people. The pound currently needs maintenance and funds, especially with the onset of the winter season. There is hardly any arrangement to protect the cattle from the cold.
On an average, two to three cattle die every week due to various reasons. Besides, people from some neighbouring villages also bring the same number of stray cattle every week, keeping the number of cattle almost the same, sources said. Meanwhile, Baljit Singh, whose wife Jasvir Kaur is the former sarpanch of Ratta Tibba village, said, “There is no representative of our village in the executive committee of the cattle pound. The pound is built on around 27 acres of panchayat land, but the panchayat has not received any assistance from the state government. The walls are crumbling and need immediate repairs.” Malot Block Development and Panchayat Officer Satwinder Singh Virk said, “We have not stopped anyone from bringing stray cattle to this pound. Moreover, we have requested the Deputy Commissioner to release funds for repairing and rebuilding some damaged walls. Besides, we are making efforts to protect the cattle from the cold.” Cattle pound manager Laldeep Singh said, “We appeal to all those who bring stray cattle here to also donate something, be it green fodder or something else.”
