New Delhi: In one of the most unique schemes in the country, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday gifted cows to 11 families with malnourished children.

Earlier, CM Yogi Adityanath worshipped cows on the occasion of Gopashtami at Tanda Falls and also inspected the cow shelters.

The move of handing over cows to families will serve dual purpose of preserving cows as well as providing nourishment to under-nourished children.

On the occasion, Adityanath said, “Stray cows should be kept in cow shelters and then should be distributed among farmers. Every farmer rearing a stray cow should get Rs 900 per month per cow.”

“When the children of these families will get milk, their malnourishment will be eradicated. When the children are healthy, the future of the country and society is bright,” the chief minister said.

Designated as ‘Sahbhagita Yojana (co-participation scheme)’ , UP government is giving Rs 900 every month to the person who is taking care of cows.

As many as 66,257 cows have been given under the scheme out of which 1071 cows distributed among 1069 families of malnourished children.

“There are more than 5 lakh cows in various cow shelters at present and more than 65,000 cows have already been given to farmers and the festival of `Gopashtami’ has served as an inspiration to all of us towards our enhanced responsibility towards cows,” CM Yogi added.

On the occasion, CM Yogi also thanked Union Minister Gajendra Singh for being helpful in laying the foundation of Rs 5,555 crore drinking water scheme for about 2995 villages.

“I am extremely happy that our Prime Minister laid the foundation stone on the auspicious occasion of Gopashtami,” he said.