Rs 1.92 crore on cow dung and urine? Madhya Pradesh project under fire for fund misuse

The project's aim was to scientifically validate the medicinal properties of a traditional mixture made from cow dung, cow urine, milk, curd, and ghee for the treatment of chronic illnesses, including cancer.

• Madhya Pradesh's cow-based cancer research project faces probe over fund misuse
• Investigators found inflated spending and non-essential purchases in the project
• No major breakthroughs in cancer treatment reported over 14 years of research

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A Madhya Pradesh government-funded research project exploring cancer treatments using traditional cow-based preparations is under investigation following allegations of financial mismanagement. The project, conducted at Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University in Jabalpur, is reportedly being scrutinised by district authorities for inflated spending on basic materials such as cow dung and cow urine.

The initiative, known as the “Panchagavya” project, was launched in 2011 with an initial government sanction of Rs 3.5 crore. Its stated aim was to scientifically validate the medicinal properties of a traditional mixture made from cow dung, cow urine, milk, curd, and ghee for the treatment of chronic illnesses, including cancer.

According to the inquiry led by Additional Collector Raghuvar Maravi, nearly Rs 1.92 crore was spent between 2011 and 2018 on raw materials and storage vessels.

“During preliminary scrutiny of documents, it was found that the research money was spent on purposes not related to the project,” Maravi has been cited by ANI. The report states that the same materials should have cost only Rs 15-20 lakh, suggesting a substantial overvaluation of basic resources.

The probe also flagged several “non-essential” expenditures not included in the original sanctioned budget. These included the purchase of a luxury vehicle worth Rs 7.5 lakh, with an additional Rs 7.5 lakh reportedly spent on fuel and maintenance. Investigators further questioned approximately Rs 15 lakh spent on furniture and electronic equipment, as well as multiple air trips to cities such as Goa and Bengaluru, whose relevance to the research objectives was unclear.

The inquiry additionally highlighted a lack of documentation and tangible outcomes from the research. No significant breakthroughs in cancer treatment were recorded over the 14 years of the project.

The university has, however, denied any wrongdoing.

Registrar Dr SS Tomar told ANI, “The project has undergone regular audits, and all documentation has been provided to the investigation committee. All procurements were conducted according to government tender procedures and transparency rules.” He added that the university continues to provide training to farmers and youth under the project.

The divisional commissioner is expected to review the final report of the investigation this month to determine whether formal criminal proceedings should be initiated.