BJP promises cow ministry in Rajasthan

Akshay Deshmane

JAIPUR: The BJP in poll-bound Rajasthan released a manifesto that promised 5% reservation for Gujjars and a few other castes in government jobs besides a separate commission for the middle class, and went on to provision a new ministry for another component of this largely pastoral state: cows.

The proposed Ministry for Cow Conservation, among other things, will also oversee setting up of "a world university on cow science" for carrying out research into agriculture and other subjects which are cow-centric. It will also thrash out a policy for the protection, conservation and improvement of indigenous breeds of cows.

T he other major promises in the manifesto announced by Vasundhara Raje include halving of interest rates for agriculture loans for unemployed youth and a medical van scheme in remote areas. The manifesto shied away from any big schemes and said the party will focus on providing power 24x7 than going for subsidized supply unlike what Congress has promised.