Madhya Pradesh gets 'cow ministry' ahead of assembly polls (Representative image)
Chief Minister of the poll-bound Madhya Pradesh, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, on Sunday announced plans to set up a cow ministry.
“The cow ministry will replace the existing Madhya Pradesh Gaupalan Evam Pashudhan Samvardhan Board (MPGEPSB) because it (board) has limitations,” Chouhan said at a function in Khajuraho in Chhattarpur district, which was attended by Digambar Jain monk Vidhyasagarji Maharaj.
"The government releases small funds to the (MPGEPS) board. An independent ministry will work in a better way to serve cows," the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said.
MPGEPSB executive council chairman Swami Akhileshwaranand welcomed the announcement and said he had recommended for the creation of such a ministry. Akhileshwaranand enjoys cabinet rank status in the state government by virtue of this post.
The state is slated for assembly polls later this year.
