Gandhinagar, Sep 22 (IANS): The Congress MLAs on Thursday staged a walkout from the Gujarat Assembly while demanding compensation to the people who's cattle stock have been affected by the Lumpy virus.

Earlier, the Congress MLAs had sought a discussion on the issue, which was denied.

The Opposition bench's senior MLA Punja Vansh raised the Lumpy virus issue and demanded time to debate the issue in the House, which was denied by the Speaker. This opposition in protest staged a walkout.

Vansh alleged that Lumpy virus broke out in May in the state, since then lakhs of cows have died, "the insensitive government has failed to show sensitivity even in disposing of the bodies." The Congress was demanding Rs four lakh compensation to the affected people who have suffered the loss, and also to compensate the pastoralists for the bovine deaths.

"Nowadays a cow costs between Rs 25,000 to Rs 2 lakh. Those families which are totally dependent on animal husbandry have been severely affected by the sudden deaths of cows. Their livelihood is affected and for their survival compensation should be given," said Vansh.

Vav MLA Geniben Thakor alleged that till the Lumpy virus was not controlled, the government should act effectively to save the cattle. "The ruling party got elected on Cow votes, but it failed to show respect and sensitivity towards cows when lumpy struck," said Thakor.