In an extraordinary moo-ve, Rajasthan plans to introduce cow cess on alcohol

  • Dev Ankur Wadhawan
  • Jaipur
  • June 12, 2018
  • UPDATED: June 12, 2018 21:19 IST

HIGHLIGHTS

  • State's fianance department has mooted cow cess on alcohol
  • The funds will be used for the welfare of the cows
  • Congress has alleged that the funds won't be used for intended purpose
Rajasthan plans to introduce cow cess on alcohol
Rajasthan government proposes cow cess on liquor price | Reuters image for representation

HIGHLIGHTS

  • State's fianance department has mooted cow cess on alcohol
  • The funds will be used for the welfare of the cows
  • Congress has alleged that the funds won't be used for intended purpose

In this election year, liquor may well become the new cash cow for the Rajasthan Government.

The Raje-led government has had a brainwave. It has mooted a proposal to impose cow cess on alcohol.

The declared aim of the proposal seeking imposition of cow cess on alcohol is to generate additional revenue for the welfare of cows.

RAJASTHAN AND COW WELFARE

Cow welfare has been a pet theme of Rajasthan government.

In the BJP-ruled state, where the ruling dispensation has a separate ministry dedicated to cow welfare, cow cess on liquor may not seem to be out of the ordinary.

Vasundhara Raje government has decided to increase the grants given to cow shelters for fodder and for welfare and maintenance of cows in various government-run shelters in the state.

Rajasthan is amongst those states which has maximum livestock. For the first time in Rajasthan, there has been a policy decision in the budget to give grants to cow shelters continuously for 9 months. The Rajasthan government is trying to arrange for finances. Various types of proposals have been received. Whether the cess will be in a form of surcharge or excise duty or something else is to be decided.
- Rajendra Rathore, Panchayati Raj minister in Rajasthan

Thousands of cows had earlier died in the state during the present Vasundhara Raje regime allegedly due to neglect and lack of upkeep at the government-funded shelters.

The Congress has alleged that the funds generated by cow cess will not be utilised for the intended purpose.

The government is trying to appease a particular vote bank. Earlier the government introduced a 20 per cent increase in tax on stamp duty. And now there are plans to tax the liquor as well. Most of the livestock in the state is dying. The funds will not be used for the welfare of the cows.
- Archana Sharma, Congress spokesperson.

Panchayati Raj minister Rajendra Rathore said that the plans about cow cess are being deliberated upon. He said that there has not been any policy decision so far and discussions are going on.

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