Beneficiaries allegedly denied cows, benefits
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 28 2026: Many Scheduled Caste farmers who have been selected as beneficiaries of the project "Dairy Farming: A Way of Life for Schedule Caste Farmers of Manipur 2023-24" have alleged that they have been denied pregnant cows and other benefits entitled to them.

The Veterinary Department distributed pregnant cows to some beneficiaries of the project on September 25 but serious questions have been raised if the department is deceiving other beneficiaries.

Speaking to media persons at Andro today, one Gopeswar Ningthoujam said that 77 persons from Andro were selected as beneficiaries of the project.

Beneficiaries allegedly denied cows, benefits

Out of the total 77 selected beneficiaries, only 13 have been given cows, he said.

Apart from cows, most of the beneficiaries have not yet received other benefits like financial aid for construction of cowshed, purchasing cattle feed and insurance registration, Gopeswar said.

He said that he has received Rs 8000 and Rs 3000 in two instalments for construction of a cowshed.

However, according to the "Dairy Farming: A Way of Life for Schedule Caste Farmers of Manipur 2023-24", each beneficiary should get Rs 48,000 for construction of a cowshed.

"While I've received Rs 11,000, some others have received Rs 15,000.As the department is not releasing the total amount entitled to the beneficiaries, we are unable to finish construction of cowsheds", Gopeswar said.

Earlier, there was a telephone number for communication with the Veterinary Department.

While talking over this particular number, the beneficiaries were told the remaining amount would be released before Ningol Chakkouba festival but the number has gone dead now, he said.

Rajendro Asheibam, another selected beneficiary, said that the Chief Minister distributed pregnant cows to 31 beneficiaries from across the State on September 25 .

Even though the Chief Minister announced that the left out beneficiaries will be given their cows within a short time, no cow has been distributed to any left out beneficiary till date, Rajendro said.

As the financial aid guaranteed by the project has not been released in full, some farmers who have received cows have been facing difficulties, unable to finish construction of cowsheds, he said.

The Veterinary Department is yet to give proper training to the selected beneficiaries on how to take care of the pregnant cows given under the project, he said.

He appealed to the authorities concerned to look into the matter and see that all entitled benefits including cows, financial aid for construction of cowsheds, money for purchasing cattle feed until the cows give birth and registration for insurance are distributed/done at the earliest.

On the advice of the Veterinary Director, some beneficiaries talked with Deputy Director (Planning) Gojen but the Deputy Director maintained that cows could not be distributed without the Government's consent, he added.

Notably, 612 Schedule Caste farmers should be given pregnant cows under the "Dairy Farming: A Way of Life for Schedule Caste Farmers of Manipur 2023-24" project.