Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (MS/HB)

Udupi, Aug 16: President of Govardhana Giri Trust (R) and senior seer of Pejawar Math Sri Vishwaprasanna Theertha Sripada has written a letter to union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman urging her to release a maintenance package of Rs 200 crore for maintaining the goshalas throughout the country, which are facing hardship because of coronavirus pandemic.

In the letter, Pejawar Swamiji says, "Like other sectors of the country, which are facing a severe financial crisis, goshalas are also facing difficulty due to coronavirus. The maintenance of goshalas is highly expensive. In Udupi, the monthly maintenance cost of goshalas which we are running at Neelavara, Kodavoor and Hebri is around Rs 35 lac. In addition, many philanthropists are donating money to manage goshalas on a smaller scale across various temples and maths. This was possible due to the contribution of the devotees. But now even devotees cannot donate as they are short of funds. In addition, the rains that are lashing for the past two months have made our work of collecting hay for the cows more difficult."

Pejawar Swamiji (left) and Nirmala Sitharaman 

"Hence, as the union government has declared special packages for various sectors in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, at least Rs 200 crore should be released for the management of goshalas. Not only with respect to religion but the protection of cows should be seen from the point of view of financial wellbeing also," he said.