Padma Hazarika Reveals How Gir Cows Went to MLAs, Ministers

The Garukhuti project — once hailed as a bold model of agrarian reform and indigenous livelihood revival in Assam — has now come under sharp scrutiny. In a detailed press briefing on Sunday, Sootea MLA Padma Hazarika, who headed the project, made explosive claims that the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) had supplied substandard cattle, and that the project authorities were compelled to accept them without consent or quality assurance.

Hazarika categorically denied any involvement of the Garukhuti project committee in the procurement process. “We had no discussions with NDDB. Everything — from tender to agreement — was handled solely by the Veterinary Department,” he stated. The controversial consignment involved 300 cows brought into Assam under a tender floated by the department, with NDDB emerging as the L1 bidder.

As per Hazarika’s account, the district administration informed them that the cattle would arrive in batches. The project had cow shelters ready only for 150 animals, not the entire 300. “We immediately raised concerns. We even informed the Chief Minister that we lacked the infrastructure to accommodate all the cows,” he said. Despite the concerns, the Veterinary Department proceeded, acting on the Chief Minister’s instruction to procure cows for the state through NDDB.

Cows Given to MLAs, Ministers Amid Shelter Crunch

Due to space constraints, the remaining cows were distributed to interested individuals — including legislators and ministers — at the procurement rate. “We were left with no option. On the CM’s advice, we decided that those who wanted cows could purchase them directly at NDDB’s rate,” Hazarika added.

Several public representatives took cows under this arrangement:

Bhuban Pegu (Jonai MLA) – 10 cows

Utpal Borah (Gohpur MLA) – 4 cows

Jayanta Malla Baruah (Minister) – 20 cows

Dilip Saikia (MP) – 2 cows

Diganta Kalita (MLA) – 2 cows

GMDA Vice-Chairman – 2 cows

Recipients paid between Rs 66,000 and Rs 88,000 per cow, with the funds collected by the Garukhuti committee on a self-procured basis. “Had we had enough shelter space, we wouldn't have given the cattle away. We only made arrangements because we were forced to accept the cows without warning,” Hazarika stressed.

Following the cattle distribution, the Veterinary Department conducted inspections and found the animals to be of poor health and inferior breed. “The team reported this to the Director of the department in Guwahati. Many of the cows — especially those given to MLAs — died within a short period. All 90 distributed cows were either reported dead or sick by their respective owners,” Hazarika revealed.

Despite the deteriorating condition of the animals, NDDB allegedly pressured the project to make full payments, including for the dead cattle. Hazarika, as the project chairman, refused. “We didn’t pay a single rupee after receiving the cows. They tried to manage it from behind the scenes, but we stood firm.”

The issue escalated to the Chief Minister’s office, where two high-level meetings were held, the last on March 24, 2024. The meetings were attended by officials from NDDB, the Veterinary Department, the Agriculture Department, and Garukhuti council members. A unanimous decision was reached that the remaining 154 cows must be taken back by NDDB.

“The Chief Minister clearly said these were low-quality cows and that we should not keep them,” Hazarika said. The CM also advised that deductions should be made from the Rs 88,000 per cow rate in light of the deaths and poor quality. “We returned Rs 20,000 to some buyers and adjusted the remaining Rs 66,000 as part of the NDDB settlement,” Hazarika added.

ALSO READ: "Betrayal of Indigenous People": Upamanyu Hazarika Slams Govt Over Garukhuti Cattle Row