Lucknow, Nov 18 (IANS) Authorities in Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly central jail have come up with a new idea to reform criminals - cow service! Now prison inmates will have to regularly bathe, feed and milk cows, considered sacred to Hindus.

'The whole idea behind the plan is inspired by the sacredness of the cow. We all know the cow is revered as a mother by Hindus and has a special mention in holy scriptures that say serving cows cleanses the soul of every sin,' Senior Jail Superintendent B.R. Verma told IANS on telephone.

'Going by the belief that 'gau sewa' (cow service) leads to salvation, we conceptualised the plan that will be executed within a few days,' he said.

According to jail officials, several cows have been brought from Punjab at an estimated cost of nearly Rs.200,000.

'At present, we have nine cows that would be served by prisoners as a part of the 'gau sewa'. From preparing cows' food, to bathing them and milking them, the prisoners will have to look after the cows,' Verma said.

Of the 3,000 prisoners lodged in the central jail, 90 percent are Hindus who have readily accepted to perform 'gau sewa'. The milk from the cows would be given to frail and sick prisoners, officials said.

'As we have a limited number of cows in comparison to the strength of prisoners, it has been decided that the prisoners would take turns to do the 'gau sewa',' he said.