Mohammad bin Ismail | Clarion India
NEW DELHI — In a move that has sparked mixed reactions across the state, the annual budget of Uttar Pradesh has seen significant allocations for the welfare of cows and religious tourism, while minority welfare and sports development have been notably sidelined.
The budget presented by Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna on February 20, includes Rs 2,000 crore for cow protection and Rs 900 crore for religious tourism initiatives. This prioritisation has ignited a fresh debate about the state’s commitment to inclusive development.
The most eye-catching feature of the budget is the Rs 2,000 crore earmarked for stray cows in the state, a sum five times greater than the Rs 400 crore allocated to sports development. The state’s commitment to cow welfare is made clear with a further Rs 140 crore for cow protection centres and Rs 123 crore for animal hospitals. However, there is no mention of any funding for other agricultural or commercial animals such as goats, horses, or mules. Critics have pointed out the unequal distribution of resources, especially when it comes to the welfare of the state’s sports infrastructure.
“This budget is a clear reflection of the government’s priorities,” said political analyst Dr Raghav Verma. “The money spent on cows is more than five times the amount allocated for sports, a sector that could have brought tangible benefits to the youth of Uttar Pradesh.”
The absence of any mention of the state’s long-term policy for non-cow animals is another concern raised by experts. According to the 2019 livestock census, the state has approximately 12 lakh stray animals, with 10 lakh being cows. If the current allocation is to be taken at face value, each stray cow would receive an annual sum of Rs 20,000. In comparison, farmers only receive Rs 6,000 annually under the “Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi.”
Following the theme of prioritising religious affairs, the budget also devotes a staggering Rs 900 crore to religious tourism. This includes funding for the development of temples and religious circuits across the state. Rs 200 crore has been allocated for the Banke Bihari Temple corridor in Vrindavan, and Rs 150 crore has been set aside for the development of Ayodhya. Other temples, such as the Vindhya Vasni Temple in Mirzapur and the Mathura Parikrama, are also slated for significant upgrades.
This story was originally published in clarionindia.net. Read the full story here.
