Chandigarh, Aug 20 - The bovine population in Punjab could soon be safer. The Punjab government plans to set up a commission for protection of cows and bulls!

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, who has the right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as alliance partner in the government, Thursday announced that a commission for protection of cows and bulls would be set up in the state.

Badal gave the assurance to a delegation of 'Gowvansh Vikas Parkosht' (Cow Development Cell) of the BJP led by Medical Education and Research and Forest Minister Tikshan Sood, which had brought to Badal's notice the increasing incidents of illegal smuggling and slaughtering of cows in the state.

The chief minister announced that no new slaughter factory would be allowed to be set up in the state. The existing law on cow slaughter would be amended to save cows, Badal said.

Badal sought the help of religious and social organizations to set up 'gaushalas' (cow shelters) in the state.