The Congress on Sunday demanded sacking of Chhattisgarh Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Minister Brijmohan Agarwal over the death of about 173 cows in the government-aided cowsheds in Durg and Bemetara districts.
Congress state unit chief Bhupesh Baghel alleged that despite sanctioning grants to the tune of crores to cow shelter homes, it is in pathetic condition across the state.
"It clearly reflects the corruption on the part of the (animal husbandry) department and Gau Sewa Ayog officials. Funds being given for maintenance of Gaushala were being siphoned off by the department officials in nexus with the facility owners.
"Neither the inspection of cow shelter homes nor the auditing of the funds sanctioned to them was being done due to kickbacks. Over 200 cows alone died of starvation and thirst at the cowshed ran by BJP leader Harish Verma in Rajpur which had received lakhs of rupees by means of grant for its maintenance. The cattle became victims of kickbacks," Baghel alleged.
He said that mere suspension of some officials over cow deaths would not serve the purpose.