Coimbatore collector orders probe into deaths of cows, calves

COIMBATORE: The Coimbatore district collector on Monday ordered an inquiry by a revenue divisional officer into the deaths of two cows and four calves given to tribals in Anaikatti area as part of the Tamil Nadu government’s milch cow scheme.
The cows and calves died within 14 days of being given to the tribals. The tribals accused the tribal welfare department of giving them old or diseased cows.
The tribal welfare department distributed one cow and one calf each to 30 tribals living in villages like 24 Veerapandi, Doomanur, Sembukarai and Thoovaipathi and hardly two weeks ago. Each cow is worth around Rs 34,400.
Within two days of the distribution of the animals, tribal man Jothimani’s cow and calf died. A few days later, the calves of Perumal and Kumar died. Later , Thangavel’s calf died. Two days ago, his cow too died.
Thangavel told reporters that that around 4.30am on Saturday, he heard the cry of his cow. “When I came out, I saw the cow was fighting for its life and died a few minutes later,” he said.
“We suspect that they are giving us old and diseased cows. If the government gives us money, we can buy healthy cows ourselves,” said a farmer.