The Indian Express 24.08.2013
MC to lodge complaint against cattle owners
In the past five years, MC has impounded more than 12,000 stray cattle and released around 7,700. A fine of Rs 2,000 per stray cattle was imposed, apart from Rs 150 per day as handling charges. The civic body collected a fine of around Rs 44 lakh. However, the decision not to release cattle seemed to be forgotten. After paying fine amounting to a few thousands, the cattle owners are now releasing their cattle.
It was after the death of a Sector 45 resident in April this year that the MC woke up to the problem and decided to implement the decision of not releasing cattle impounded within MC limits. However, soon after protests took place seeking release of cattle. Leading the protests were leaders of the Congress whose cattle had been captured which was then released. Councillor Arun Sood also leader of BJP in the MC House, said, "There is a lack of policy to catch stray cattle which needs to be framed. A decision was taken by the councillors in the previous term that cattle should not be released once caught as this would prove to be a deterrent for people to let these lose in the city. However, it has not been followed."
He added that the manner in which hasty decisions are being taken in wake of the recent incidents, there would be problems in catching the stray cattle. Trained people should be deployed to catch cattle. Otherwise, there is a chance of injury to the cattle as well.
Officials claim that the lack of space in the cattle sheds and cattle pound was one of the hindrances to not release the captured cattle. The cattle shed in Sector 45 has a capacity to house 350 animals, while another one in Maloya can hold 400 animals. The cattle pound at the Industrial Area can hold 150 stray cattle at a time. Most of these are full. Joint Commissioner, MC, Rajiv Gupta said drives to catch cattle have been intensified. Locations were identified where cattle are rampant. Additional staff would be deployed for catching cattle.
