Rajasthan: This cow shelter runs with corporate efficiency, earns millions

Rajasthan is the only state to have a separate ministry for cow welfare but some gaushalas are enterprising enough not to rely on the government

The balance sheet of the Shri Gopal Gaushala which houses 1258 cows and employs 25 people to look after them on the outskirts of Barmer town in Rajasthan impresses not because of its size but for its self-sustaining nature. In 2017-18, it earned a profit of Rs 5 million on revenues of Rs 35 million. Almost a third of these revenues of Rs 11 million came from the sale of milk and manure (bio fertiliser made from cow dung). It received Rs 8.3 million in grants from the state government – Rs 32 a day for every cow and Rs