DW BUREAU / Chandigarh

In order to further strengthen the animal healthcare network in the state, Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government is all set to recruit 300 Veterinary Officers, said S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Minister of Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries, Punjab here on Friday.

The Cabinet Minister, while reviewing the ongoing projects of the department here at his office, informed that the recruitment process has already been initiated by the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC). Notably, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann led state government has already recruited as many as 326 Veterinary Officers and 536 Veterinary Inspectors in the last two years.

He said that an action plan worth Rs 93 crore has been submitted to the Government of India for procurement of medicines and equipment in Veterinary hospitals.

He also directed the department officials to complete the vaccination drive being undertaken against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Hemorrhagic Septicaemia by June 30, 2024. While assuring the minister to accomplish the drive in prescribed time frame, Director Animal Husbandry Dr. Ranjiv Bali apprised the cabinet minister that around 78% and 75% livestock has been covered under the drive against FMD and Haemorrhagic Septicaemia,

respectively, so far.

To encourage farmers to adopt dairy farming, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian said that the Dairy Development Department is providing 25 per cent financial assistance to the general category and 33 per cent to scheduled caste category beneficiaries on the purchase of milch animals, on the prescribed rate of Rs. 70,000 per animal. The department has given around Rs. 2 crore as financial assistance for 1,089 milch animals during 2023-24, he added.

He said that the department has also provided financial assistance for 7200 milch animals to livestock farmers within the past five weeks under National Livestock Scheme, under which financial assistance is being provided to small/medium milk producers for insurance of one to five milch animals. 50 percent financial assistance is being given to the general category, while 70 percent financial assistance for the SC farmers, mentioned the Animal Husbandry Minister.
(editor@dailyworld.in)