Concerns over damage to crops caused by neelgai and stray animals echoed in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly on Monday, even though the discussion was marred by fiery exchanges.
The matter was first raised during the Question Hour by Jitendra Gehlot (Bharatiya Janata Party), who pointed out that the presence of neelgai in large numbers was the reason for the damage to crops in Ratlam, Mandsaur and Neemuch districts.
In his reply, Forest Minister Gaurishankar Shejwar assured that the regime has taken serious note of the problem and has undertaken initiatives to simplify rules for providing compensation to peasants in case their crops are damaged by neelgai.
Vidhan Sabha Deputy Speaker, who was in the Chair, said all the members who came from rural areas faced similar problems. He suggested that the name of neelgai should be changed to rojad. Several other members voiced their concerns and provided suggestions.
later, Govind Singh of Congress raised the matter of havoc caused by stray animals in Bhind and Datia districts through a calling attention notice. In his reply, Shejwar said a provision of setting up kanji house (shelter home for stray animals) by gram panchayats existed. Besides, he underlined the need for creating public awareness among people for not discarding unproductive cattle.
Several Opposition members raised the issue and sought the regime to come up with a lasting solution. As an Opposition member described the problem as one of the major problems in the state, Parliamentary Affairs Minister quipped that the Opposition admits that no other major issues now exist in the BJP-ruled state.
Meanwhile, Shejwar targeted the Opposition stating that government land for grazing was distributed by the previous Congress regime leading to the present state of affairs. Ramniwas Rawat of Congress shot back with a comment followed by a quick retort by Mishra leading to heated exchanges. However, the comments were expunged from the proceedings by Speaker Sitasaran Sharma.