In a bizarre way of opposing the Narendra Modi Government’s move to demonetise Rs500 and Rs1,000 notes, the local Government body of Amreli in Saurashtra region, ruled by the Congress, has now announced that the cattle in the town cannot produce more than the stipulated weight of droppings.
In an order, the Amreli Municipality forbids adult cattle and calves from producing more than 3 kg and 1 kg of dung respectively, per day. The order further said that stray cattle would also be required to use designated areas in the town for answering nature’s call. “If found guilty, action would be initiated as per the rules (against the cattle!),” said the order.
In a tongue-in-cheek statement, Congress legislator Paresh Dhanani said that several steps were initiated to get rid of the nuisance of cattle dung in the town but the local body failed to yield proper results and so the governing body decided to pass the resolution. Dhanani further said that he asked the municipality authorities how they would control the situation. “In reply they said that if by banning Rs500 and Rs1,000 notes black money can be wiped out, then limiting the amount of droppings would help clean the town.”
“In support of the ‘Swachchh Bharat, Swasth Bharat’ mission initiated by the Indian Government and to get rid of the mess made by domestic and stray cattle, we at Amreli Municipality are seeking to bring about a unique way of promoting the mission in letter and spirit,” reads the resolution passed by the Amreli Municipality.
The municipality announced that the new rule for droppings would come into effect from December 2016. Making mockery of the Union Government’s decision, the municipality would also form ‘flying squad’ to measure droppings of cattle.
“The owners of the cattle not following the above order would be made to sit on a donkey facing backwards and paraded. But is that legalIJ Only those ‘anti-national elements’ who indulge in spreading muck and filth are opposing this move. We have support of 95% of locals,” said Amreli MlA Dhanani.
The municipality in this town of 1.4 lakh population is ruled by the Congress, which has 35 of 44 members in the local body.
Cartoon by- Nirjhar