Gandhinagar: The Gujarat Cabinet on Wednesday authorised district collectors to make immediate decisions regarding fodder arrangements for cattle in regions experiencing deficient rainfall, with the objective of ensuring faster support for livestock owners, gaushalas and panjarapoles.
The decision was announced by Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi after a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. According to Sanghavi, transferring these powers to district administrations will reduce procedural delays and enable local authorities to respond promptly based on conditions in their respective districts.
He said the new arrangement applies to areas that have received inadequate rainfall during the ongoing monsoon season, where shortages of fodder could pose challenges for livestock.
Sanghavi stated that district collectors will now be able to take immediate decisions without waiting for approvals through the existing administrative process. He said the measure is intended to ensure timely availability of fodder and cattle feed wherever rainfall deficiencies create the risk of shortages.
The Deputy Chief Minister said the government’s priority is to prevent difficulties for cattle, gaushalas and panjarapoles by ensuring that essential fodder support reaches affected areas without unnecessary delays.
The Cabinet’s decision comes amid uneven monsoon rainfall across Gujarat this season. While Surat and several parts of south Gujarat witnessed extremely heavy rainfall and flooding during the first week of July, other regions have recorded comparatively lower precipitation, prompting the state government to prepare for localised fodder requirements.
The India Meteorological Department has also forecast a weakening of the active monsoon phase, with below-normal rainfall expected from mid-July after the Southwest Monsoon covered the entire country. The state government’s latest decision is aimed at allowing district administrations to address any emerging fodder shortages based on local rainfall conditions.
During the media briefing, Sanghavi also extended birthday wishes to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. He noted that the Chief Minister had earlier urged people not to celebrate his birthday through newspaper advertisements or by presenting garlands. Instead, Patel had encouraged citizens to observe the occasion by participating in public service activities.
Sanghavi said Cabinet colleagues conveyed their greetings to the Chief Minister during the meeting.
He also informed that administrative preparations had been completed across Gujarat for the Rath Yatra celebrations being held on Wednesday in Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar, Anand and several other districts. According to the Deputy Chief Minister, the arrangements have been made to ensure the religious processions are conducted in a smooth and orderly manner.
The Cabinet’s latest decision on decentralising powers for fodder management is expected to enable district administrations to respond more efficiently to local conditions in areas affected by rainfall deficiency while ensuring timely assistance for livestock and cattle shelters.
