Bhopal, July 16 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh Congress chief, Jitu Patwari, on Thursday questioned Chief Minister Mohan Yadav’s decision to retain the Animal Husbandry and Cow Welfare Department after the recent Cabinet expansion, saying the move would be meaningful only “if it translated into better governance” and tangible improvements in the sector.

Patwari’s criticism comes a day after the expansion of the Mohan Yadav Cabinet, in which Patharia MLA Lakhan Patel was inducted as a Minister of State with independent charge.

Following the swearing-in, Patel was allotted the Animal Husbandry and Cow Welfare Department. However, the state government later revised the portfolio allocation, with Chief Minister Mohan Yadav deciding to retain the department himself.

In an open letter to the Chief Minister, Patwari said people were not interested in the transfer of portfolios but in the performance of the government.

“It is surprising that you have decided to keep the Animal Husbandry and Cow Welfare Department with yourself. While allocation of departments is the Chief Minister’s prerogative, the people want to know whether retaining the department will also change the condition of the sector,” Patwari said.

He alleged that several important departments already under the Chief Minister had failed to meet public expectations and questioned whether the Animal Husbandry Department would witness any improvement.

Targeting the BJP over cow welfare, Patwari said the party had projected cow protection as a major political issue for years, but alleged that cattle and gaushalas remained neglected under its rule.

He claimed that gaushalas in the state continued to struggle with shortages of fodder, drinking water, veterinary care and other basic facilities, while livestock farming was becoming increasingly unviable due to rising costs and inadequate government support.

Referring to figures presented by the government in the Assembly, Patwari said 237 road accidents involving stray cattle had taken place in the last two years, resulting in 94 deaths and injuries to 133 people.

“These are not merely statistics but a record of administrative failure. If the Chief Minister has genuinely taken responsibility for the department, he should disclose the actual condition of gaushalas, announce a relief package for livestock rearers, present a time-bound action plan to resolve the stray cattle problem and ensure compensation for farmers affected by cattle-related crop losses,” Patwari said.

–IANS

pd/rad