IN THE SUO MOTO PUBLIC INTREST LITIGATION vs STATE OF CHHATTISGARH

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CGHC010459232025 2026:CGHC:44646-DB
NAFR
HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR
WPPIL No. 95 of 2025
In The Suo Moto Public Intrest Litigation Based On News Item Published
In Navbharat, Last Page, Bilaspur, Thursday Dated 23.10.2025
Vidambana Gayon Ki Maut Par Sawal, Veterinary Vibhag Par Laaparvahi
Ka Aarop, Beltara Va Sukalkari Bane Kabragaha Bhukh Pyas Se
Tadapkar Mar Rahi Gayen
... Petitioner
versus
1 - State of Chhattisgarh Through Chief Secretary, Mahanadi Bhawan,
Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
2 - Principal Secretary Animal Husbandry And Veterinary Services
Department, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
3 - Directorate Of Veterinary Services Through Director, Ground Floor
Block No. 3 Indravati Bhawan Naya Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
4 - Director Chhattisgarh Rajya Pashu Chikitsa Parishad, Raipur.
5 - Collector Bilaspur District Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh.
... Respondents
For Petitioner : Office Reference
For Respondent/State : Mr. Shashank Thakur, Addl. Advocate General
Hon'ble Shri Krushna Ram Mohapatra , Chief Justice and
RAHUL
DEWANGAN
Hon'ble Shri Santosh Sharma , Judge
Digitally
signed by
RAHUL
DEWANGAN
Order on Board

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Per Krushna Ram Mohapatra , C.J.
15/10/2026
1. This is an office reference.
2. This suo-moto Public Interest Litigation petition has been initiated
on the basis of a news item published in the Hindi daily newspaper
Navbharat dated 23.10.2025, under the heading “ बेलतरावसुकलकारी
बनेकब्रगाहभूख - प्याससेतडपकरमररहीगाये ” and the sub-heading
“ विडंबनाःगायोंकीमौतपरसवाल , वेटनरीविभागकीलापरवाहीकाआरोप ” .
3. Regular monitoring is being carried out with regard to the protection,
preservation, settlement and care of stray cattle. It is observed from
the different affidavits as well as the orders passed by this Court that
the State of Chhattisgarh has come up with the scheme called
“Goudham Yojana”. An “Ayog” has also been set up in the name of
Chhattisgarh Rajya Gouseva Ayog.
4. The Registrar, Chhattisgarh Rajya Gouseva Ayog, has been
appointed as the Nodal Officer for stray animals for monitoring and
coordination between the officials of all concerned departments as
well as the district administration, vide order dated 07.11.2025.
5. The affidavit dated 16.01.2026 filed by the Principal Secretary,
Government of Chhattisgarh, Department of Livestock
Development, reveals the following in paragraphs 7 to 12 :
7. That, the deponent further respectfully
submits that as per the instructions department
officials are regularly visiting the temporary
shelters for health check-up, treatment and

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vaccination. Nodal officer Registrar, Chhattisgarh
Rajya Gouseva Ayog vide its letter dated
13/01/2026, has provided information that total 46
temporary cattle shelter homes are operational
and the same are managed and maintained by
local community or the respective Gram
panchayats with proper monitoring and
supervision of the department and the district
administration. In these 46 temporary cattle
shelter homes, 4160 cattle have been kept. Copy
of the letter dated 13/01/2026 with detailed report
is being filed herewith as Annexure A/4 .
8. Furthermore, it is humbly submitted that at
present there are 118 functioning Goshala
wherein 37632 destitute animals are sheltered
under the aegis of Chhatisgarh Rajya Gau-Sewa
Ayog.
9. That, regarding "Goudham Yojana" the
deponent respectfully submits that with the object
for protection and conservation of stray cattle and
cattle seized under the provisions of the
Parirakshan Chhattisgarh Pashu Krishik
Adhiniyam, 2004, the Department of Livestock,
Government of Chhattisgarh took a decision to
establish Goudham's by the order dated
06/08/2025. Under the scheme Goudham
(Capacity 200 cattle per Gaudham) is to be
established in such government land which has
safe enclosure, cattle shed, adequate water
facility, electricity facility such as established
Gauthan. Gaushala Committee registered with
Chhattisgarh Rajya Gouseva Ayog, Voluntary
Organization, NGO, Trust, Farmer Producer
Company and Cooperative Society are eligible

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institutions for operating Goudham. Operating
Institution is responsible for management of
feeding, health care, breed improvement and
human resources needed for running Goudham.
Local Veterinary Officer has to visit Goudham
regularly and should provide monthly information
in prescribed format for release of subsidy. Copy
of the order dated 06/08/2025 alongwith the
Goudham Yojana is being filed herewith as
Annexure A/5 .
10 It is respectfully submitted that pursuant to
the said Goudham Yojana, till date administrative
approval for establishment of 36 Goudhams has
been issued. The Department of Livestock
Development has given administrative sanction for
setting up of 11 Goudhams in various districts by
the order dated 17/11/2025. Out of which 03
Goudhams have been made operational and in
rest 8 Goudhams basic facilities (animal shed,
electricity water supply) are under renovation.
These 08 Goudhams would be made operational
shortly. Copy of the order dated 17/11/2025 is
being filed herewith as Annexure A/6 .
Inspection reports of the Okhar Goudham and
Lakhasar Goudham, district Bilaspur are annexed
and marked as Annexure A/7 .
11. That, the deponent respectfully submits that
vide order dated 29/12/2025 the administration
sanction for establishment of 25 more Goudhams
under the scheme has been accorded and the
same would also be made operational shortly.
Copy of the order dated 29/12/2025 is being filed
herewith as Annexure A/8 .

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12. That, regarding the monitoring framework
the deponent respectfully submits that as per the
"Prapatra 6" of the Chhattisgarh Go-Seva Ayog
Rules, 2005 the local Veterinary Assistant
Surgeon has to visit Gaushala/ Goudham and
should provide monthly information in prescribed
format for release of subsidy. Copy of the
"Prapatra 6" is being filed herewith as Annexure
A-9 . Furthermore, it is humbly submitted that
Registrar, Nodal Officer, Chhattisgarh Rajya
Gouseva Ayog vide letter dated 25/11/2025 had
issued prescribed format to Joint/ Deputy Director,
Veterinary Services to submit monthly detailed
information of Goushala, Godham and Temporary
cattle shelters. Copy of the letter dated
25/11/2025 is being filed herewith as Annexure
A/10.
6. Thus, it transpires that the Government is taking adequate steps
through the Chhattisgarh Rajya Gouseva Ayog for the protection,
conservation, settlement and care of stray cattle in need of care.
Thus, this Court feels that no further monitoring by this Court would
be required at this stage. While answering the office reference
accordingly, this Court makes it clear that, in the event a similar
issue arises in future, the same may be taken up by this Court in
appropriate proceedings.
7. The suo-moto WPPIL is disposed of accordingly.
Sd/- Sd/-
(Santosh Sharma) (Krushna Ram Mohapatra)
Judge Chief Justice
Rahul Dewangan