Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday announced the setting up of a ministry for cows.

“The cow ministry will replace the existing Madhya Pradesh Gaupalan Evam Pashudhan Samvardhan Board (MPGEPSB) because it has limitations,” Chouhan said at a programme in Khajuraho in Chhattarpur district.

The government releases funds to the MPGEPSB. An independent ministry will work in a better way to serve cows, the BJP leader said.

Referring to the country’s first cow sanctuary in the state’s Agar Malwa district, chief minister Chouhan said just one facility was not enough to shelter a large number of cows and more such shelters would be set up.

MPGEPSB executive council chairman Swami Akhileshwaranand welcomed the announcement and said he had recommended the creation of a cow ministry.