Punjab govt to levy cow dung tax on buffalo rearing in Pakistan, says Opposition

Preparations are now being made to impose 'Gobar Tax' on the rearing of buffaloes in Pakistan's Punjab state. According to a report in the Daily Times, Maryam Nawaz's government may make a rule to impose a tax of 30 Pakistani rupees per day on every buffalo. The government is projecting this move as green energy. The project is said to be part of the 'Sutra Punjab' biogas programme. The program was launched in the state of Punjab in December 2024. The aim is to clean waste and generate energy by making biogas out of it. While the opposition parties have strongly criticized the decision. He says the move shows that the government is under financial pressure and is now trying to raise money through new means. The Opposition claimed that the name of 'green energy' is just a show. The real story is different. The government's decision is a way to forcibly withdraw money from people who are already struggling with inflation and expensive fodder. Claiming to save the environment by collecting cow dung, the government has identified around 168 cattle colonies in the state to implement this tax. Under the new scheme, cattle rearers in Lahore and other major cities will be charged a daily fee per animal. The government says the money will be used for cow dung collection, waste management and running a biogas plant, so that the environment can also benefit. It is almost impossible to accurately measure how much dung is being produced by so many buffaloes every day. It is for this reason that the government has decided to adopt the model of collecting tax at a fixed rate per animal. Whether the buffalo gives more dung or less, the owner has to pay a fixed fee per animal every day. The Opposition says that this is not the true model of governance. This is a clear indication that Pakistan's largest state has lost its real sources of income. On the other hand, the concern of farmers and cattle rearers is different. They say they are already grappling with expensive fodder, rising electricity prices and inflation. In such a situation, this new tax will further increase their expenses. A Pakistani industry expert said, "On the one hand, corrupt leaders and officials are enjoying luxury cars, foreign trips and big salaries. On the other hand, the farmer, who is already struggling to feed his animals, is now being asked to pay the government for his buffalo dung as well. "It is estimated that the tax could reach around Rs 11,000 per buffalo in a year, which will have the biggest impact on small and medium cattle rearers," the government said. However, Pakistan's Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafiq said that dairy farmers have agreed to pay the tax.