Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Monday, 9 November 2026 announced that urban local bodies across the state will now operate gaushalas, as the government transferred approximately ₹60 crore for the upkeep of nearly 5.51 lakh cattle sheltered in 3,000 registered cow shelters. The announcement was made at a state event marking Govardhan Puja in Bhopal.

Key Announcements

The state provides a subsidy of ₹40 per cow for the maintenance of cattle in registered shelters. Chief Minister Yadav said the decision to bring urban local bodies into gaushala operations was specifically aimed at improving arrangements for stray cattle, a persistent challenge in Madhya Pradesh's urban areas.

He stressed that the government's mandate extended beyond law, order, and infrastructure. "The government's responsibility is not limited to maintaining law and order or developing infrastructure. It also includes celebrating our festivals with enthusiasm and grandeur," Yadav said.

White Revolution 2.0 and Dairy Push

Yadav outlined an ambitious plan under the White Revolution 2.0 initiative, through which Madhya Pradesh aims to move from its current third position among milk-producing states to become the country's top milk producer. The government is enrolling milk producers through cooperative societies at the village level to boost production and strengthen the rural economy.

Under the Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Kamdhenu Yojana, the government is offering a 30 per cent subsidy of approximately ₹13.86 lakh on a total project cost of around ₹42 lakh for setting up a dairy unit comprising 25 milch cows or buffaloes. This is designed to lower the entry barrier for farmers looking to invest in organised dairy operations.

Diversified Livelihoods for Farmers

Yadav acknowledged the vulnerability of agriculture-dependent households to weather shocks, poor seed quality, and fluctuating yields. He said cattle rearing, dairy farming, fish farming, and goat rearing could serve as reliable supplementary income streams for rural families, reducing their dependence on a single crop cycle.

The Chief Minister also announced that animal fairs would be organised across the state to promote improved livestock breeds and acquaint farmers with modern animal husbandry techniques. This comes amid the government's broader push to integrate natural and organic farming — with livestock-derived organic manure positioned as a way to reduce chemical fertiliser use and improve soil fertility.

What Comes Next

With urban local bodies now formally tasked with running gaushalas, implementation will depend on municipalities' administrative capacity and funding flow from the state. The White Revolution 2.0 dairy enrolment drive through cooperative societies is ongoing, and animal fairs are expected to be rolled out across districts in the coming months.