CAGreport on cow surcharge not substantially being transferred to the protection fund comes at a time when lakhs of cows in the state are suffering from lumpy skin disease and many are dying.
According to the CAG report, the government is yet to transfer Rs 1,115 crore to the cow protection and promotion fund created in 2016. As per the rules, the surcharge levied and collected underRajasthanStamp Act andRajasthan Valued Added Taxis required to be transferred to the fund.
The main objective of the fund is the protection and development of cows and to create permanent for shelter and homes. Only 1% of the fund is to be incurred for administrative expenses by the Gopalan department.
During 2020-21, the government collected Rs 1079.30 crore as surcharge and transferred Rs 599.12 crore to the fund. The short transfer of Rs 480.18 crore is in violation of rules and the government deferred its liability to future years.