AI SummaryChhattisgarh government's Gaudham Yojana is now operating across the state under the name Surabhi Gaudham. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai formally launched the scheme on 14 March 2026 at Lakhasar village in Bilaspur district and inaugurated 29 Surabhi Gaudhams spread over 11 districts in the first phase. Chhattisgarh Livestock Development and Animal Husbandry Department is managing this scheme to protect stray cattle and create rural income through cow-based work.
Gaudham Yojana combines cattle safety with income support. It provides safe shelter, green fodder, veterinary care, and a monthly honorarium to cowherds and cattle attendants. The scheme also encourages organic farming and production of cow-based goods such as vermicompost, natural pesticides, incense sticks, and lamps so that rural households get extra income. All Gaudhams in the state are now called Surabhi Gaudhams.
How to Apply for Surabhi Gaudham Yojana
Gaudham Yojana is not open for individual villagers to apply. The scheme works through district administration, and registered gaushalas or local organisations run the shelters. District Collectors identify suitable government land near national highways and share proposals for setting up Gaudhams.
The official guidelines, application form, and rules are now published on district websites. Balod district, for example, has uploaded the Gaudham guidelines and application form page for organisations that want to operate a Gaudham.
District administrations follow the Gaudham Yojana guidelines PDF and the Gaudham application form PDF to select operators. The Gaudham Yojana approval order PDF contains the full scheme rules approved by the finance department.
As per the scheme rules, preference is given to organisations with at least 5 years of work in gau seva, 3 years in breed improvement, experience in training cattle owners, and work in organic farming and bio-fertilizer production.
STEP 1 - Check the scheme guidelines and download the application form from your district website. The application form asks for details of the proposed land, number of animals, and experience of the organisation in gau seva.
STEP 2 - Submit the proposal. Registered gaushala committees operating near the identified government land get first priority. If a gaushala declines, NGOs, trusts, farmer producer companies, and cooperative societies can apply through an expression of interest.
STEP 3 - District-level committee reviews all applications, checks the site, compares the applicants, and sends its recommendations to Chhattisgarh Rajya Gau Seva Aayog for final approval.
STEP 4 - After approval, an agreement is signed between the selected organisation and Chhattisgarh Rajya Gau Seva Aayog. The organisation then starts construction of cattle sheds, fencing, fodder cultivation, and other facilities on the government land.
STEP 5 - Once the Gaudham starts functioning, the operator manages shelter, fodder, water, and veterinary care for the animals and also runs training programs for local people.
What is Surabhi Gaudham Yojana?
Gaudham Yojana replaces the earlier Gauthan system of Chhattisgarh. The state government fixed new rules and a budget for its operation and ordered collectors to set up Gaudhams on government land with fencing, cattle sheds, water, and electricity. Each Gaudham can keep up to 200 destitute, wandering, or confiscated cattle at one place.
Chhattisgarh plans to build 1,460 Gaudhams, which works out to 10 shelters in every development block. In the first phase, 29 Gaudhams across 11 districts were inaugurated. The main facility at Lakhasar in Bilaspur's Takhatpur block is spread over 25 acres and 19 acres of it are used for green fodder cultivation. It is managed by Kamdhenu Gaushala Samiti.
Also Read: Chhattisgarh Voter List - Check Name & Download PDF List from ceochhattisgarh.nic.in
Benefits of Gaudham Yojana
People working at Surabhi Gaudhams get a steady monthly payment, and the facilities get yearly grants for fodder, maintenance, and green fodder cultivation. The main benefits are listed below.
- Monthly Honorarium - Cowherds (charwaha) get ₹10,916 per month and cattle attendants (sevak) get ₹13,126 per month for working at the Gaudham.
- Graded Fodder Payment - Outstanding Gaudhams get a daily payment per animal, which rises every year: ₹10 per day in Year 1, ₹20 in Year 2, ₹30 in Year 3, and ₹35 from Year 4 onward.
- Maintenance Grant - Every Gaudham gets ₹5 lakh per year for repairs and upkeep of the facility.
- Fodder Development - Green fodder cultivation gets ₹47,000 per acre, and up to ₹2,85,000 for 5 acres of land near the Gaudham.
- Infrastructure Support - Gaudhams are set up only on government land with fencing, cattle sheds, water, and electricity.
Financial Structure of Gaudham Yojana
The scheme gives graded daily payments per animal to Gaudhams, and the rate rises every year to make long-term care possible.
| Year-wise Details | Rate (per day per animal) | Daily Expenditure at ₹10 Grant Rate | Annual Expenditure (365 days) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Year | ₹10 | ₹2000 | ₹7,30,000 |
| 2nd Year | ₹20 | ₹4000 | ₹14,60,000 |
| 3rd Year | ₹30 | ₹6000 | ₹21,90,000 |
| 4th Year | ₹35 | ₹7000 | ₹25,55,000 |
Fodder Development
For green fodder cultivation near a Gaudham, the state provides ₹47,000 per acre and a maximum of ₹2,85,000 for 5 acres.
| Particulars | Amount for 1 Acre (₹) | Amount for 5 Acres (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| Land preparation | 5,000 | 25,000 |
| Tractor running for 20 hours/acre | 10,000 | 50,000 |
| Steel for fodder storage - 20,000 litre capacity/acre | 50,000 | 2,50,000 |
| Labour for fodder | 1,600 | 8,000 |
| Labour for nursery management | 1,600 | 8,000 |
| Irrigation | 10,000 | 50,000 |
| Weed control | 2,000 | 10,000 |
| Labour for harvesting and bundling (6-7 harvests/acre) | 45,000 | 2,25,000 |
| Fertilizers and manure | 3,000 | 15,000 |
| Seeds | 5,900 | 29,500 |
| Total | 47,000 | 2,85,000 |
Highlights
Here are the main details of Gaudham Yojana in one place.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Surabhi Gaudham Yojana (Gaudham Yojana) |
| State | Chhattisgarh |
| Launched | 14 March 2026 |
| Launched By | CM Vishnu Deo Sai |
| First Phase | 29 Gaudhams in 11 districts |
| Target | 1,460 Gaudhams (10 per development block) |
| Monthly Honorarium | ₹10,916 for cowherds, ₹13,126 for attendants |
| Fodder Subsidy | ₹10 to ₹35 per animal per day (rising yearly) |
| Maintenance Grant | ₹5 lakh per facility per year |
| Fodder Support | ₹47,000 per acre / ₹2,85,000 for 5 acres |
| Implementing Department | Livestock Development and Animal Husbandry Department |
| Main Objective | Cattle safety, breed improvement, rural employment, organic farming |
Training and Cow-Based Products
Every Surabhi Gaudham works as a training center for local villagers. People learn animal husbandry, green fodder production, and making useful products from cow dung and cow urine. Gaudham Yojana works with Godhan Nyay Yojana, under which the state buys cow dung at ₹2 per kg, and the updated Godhan Nyay Yojana guidelines explain the purchase process. The products prepared at Gaudhams include:
- Vermicompost and organic manure - produced from cow dung and used for organic farming.
- Natural pesticides - bio-pesticides made from cow urine that reduce chemical use.
- Gau kashtha (cow wood) - eco-friendly logs made from cow dung.
- Incense sticks, lamps, and tooth powder - marketable products that create income for villagers.
Contact and Helpline
Livestock Development Department, Ground Floor, Block No.03, Indravati Bhavan, Nava Raipur Atal Nagar, Pin Code - 492002
Phone no: 0771-2331393 Fax no: 0771-2331391
Email : dirvet[dot]cg[at]nic[dot]in
FAQ's
What is Gaudham Yojana Chhattisgarh?
Gaudham Yojana is a cattle welfare scheme of Chhattisgarh government under which destitute and stray cattle get shelter, fodder, and veterinary care on government land. All Gaudhams are now known as Surabhi Gaudhams.
When was Gaudham Yojana launched?
The scheme was announced in August 2025 and formally launched on 14 March 2026 by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai at Lakhasar village in Bilaspur district.
How much monthly honorarium is paid under Gaudham Yojana?
Cowherds (charwaha) get ₹10,916 per month and cattle attendants (sevak) get ₹13,126 per month.
How many animals can stay in one Surabhi Gaudham?
A single Gaudham can keep up to 200 destitute, wandering, or confiscated cattle.
How to apply for Gaudham Yojana?
Registered gaushalas, NGOs, trusts, farmer producer companies, and cooperative societies can apply through the district administration. Download the guidelines and application form from the official district website.