Guwahati, June 28: Confusion continues to mount over the number of Gir cows procured by the Assam government for the Garukhuti Bahumukhi Krishi Prakalpa, as multiple official statements and records present conflicting figures. The state-run agricultural project launched with much fanfare in 2021, has now become a flashpoint of controversy over financial transparency, animal welfare, and political accountability.
The Garukhuti project, located in Darrang district, was established following a high-profile eviction drive in September 2021 that displaced hundreds of villagers, most from the minority Muslim community. One person was killed during police action. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had defended the eviction, saying the land was needed for a multi-purpose agricultural initiative that would revamp rural livelihoods and promote indigenous farming practices.
Initially managed by the district administration, the project was later brought under a registered society in 2022, headed by Sootea MLA Padma Hazarika, following a cabinet decision. With over ₹17 crore invested so far, the government claimed the project would import high-yielding Gir cows from Gujarat to boost milk production and agricultural income in the region.
However, four years later, confusion prevails over the actual number of cows procured, distributed, or currently present at the site. An RTI reply dated September 25, 2022, from the veterinary officer at Mangaldai stated that 98 cows were received on November 25, 2021, at a cost of ₹82 lakh. Another RTI document revealed that 24 cows and a bullock arrived from the APART program on January 18, 2022.
Further controversy erupted over a consignment of cows supplied by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) on April 3, 2022. According to documents, the cows were of poor quality and many were sick, leading to deaths. The NDDB reportedly took back the cows in November 2022, and no government funds were utilized for that consignment.
Agriculture Minister Atul Bora, responding to an Assembly question on March 14, 2023, offered a different version. He stated that the government procured 122 Gir cows in November and December of 2021. He added that 57 cows had calved twice, bringing the total calf population to 176. Of these, 57 calves were between two days and six months old, while the rest were under 15 months.
Adding to the confusion, a letter dated February 29, 2024, from the nodal officer of the veterinary wing of the project, stated that 300 Gir cows had been received from the NDDB. Of these, 210 were handed over to the project on April 3, 2022, while 90 were distributed to farmers through public representatives. The same document noted that 56 of the 210 cows had died due to illness.
According to the delivery logs, 24 cows arrived on November 11, 2021, 48 on November 12, 42 on November 15, and another 40 on November 17.
Meanwhile, Cabinet Minister Jauanta Mallabaruah, speaking to reporters on June 27, claimed that he had procured 20 cows from the project. He stated that a total of 300 cows were procured and 90 had been sold.
A senior project official, Jugabrat Nath, attempted to clarify the figures, saying the project procured 300 cows, of which 90 were distributed tp public representatives. He confirmed the deaths of 56 cows and said the project currently has 210 Gir cows, including 130 calves. He also claimed that the project earned ₹74 lakh from the sale of old cows and that annual revenue has increased from ₹1.18 crore in 2021–22 to ₹4.60 crore in 2024–25.
Despite these explanations, the numbers don’t align, and public accountability remains elusive. What began as a bold experiment in agricultural transformation is now mired in questions over missing cows, financial mismanagement, and political optics. The government’s silence on an independent audit has only deepened suspicions, leaving the public asking: how many cows were really bought, where are they now, and who is responsible for the mess?
