Madhya Pradesh: The Bharatiya Janata Party government in Madhya Pradesh is now mulling over a cess to raise money for the welfare of cows, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Sunday. The BJP government in Madhya Pradesh is planning to levy a cess to raise money for the welfare of the cow, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Sunday.

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On the eve of Gopashtami, Chouhan said that earlier cows and dogs were brought up easily as people used to keep a portion of their meal for cows and dogs before having, but now this tradition is evaporating.  So, a tax will be collected from public for welfare of cows, he said.

“We used to keep a portion of our meal for cows & dogs before having it. Now, this tradition is followed only in exceptional cases. So, I'm considering to collect small tax from public for welfare of cows at cow shelters,” he was quoted in an ANI tweet.

He was addressing a public meeting in Agar Malwa, when he invoked "Indian culture" to explain the rationale behind the likely move to impose the "gaumata" tax.

"I am thinking of imposing some minor tax to raise money for the welfare of the 'gaumata' (cow) welfare and for the upkeep of cow sheds....Is it alright?" the BJP leader asked while the people replied in the affirmative.

He said a law will be enacted to run cowsheds in the state.

Earlier in the day, the CM chaired the first meeting of the newly-formed ''gau cabinet'' (cow cabinet) through virtual mode, during which it was decided to boost the cow-based economy and to set up a research centre for it in Agar Malwa district.

The 'gau cabinet' or 'Cow Cabinet' has been set up for the protection of cows in the state. The Animal husbandry, Forest, Panchayat, Rural Development, Home and Farmer Welfare departments are part of the 'Cow Cabinet.

Chouhan had earlier announced that the first meeting of the cabinet be held on November 22 at 12 noon on Gopashtami at Gau Sanctuary, Agar Malwa.