Efforts on to save pony: Minister Khashim
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 29 2022: Veterinary and Animal Husbandry minister Khashim Vashum stated that the government is making all-out efforts for saving the indigenous pony of Manipur.

During the discussion on demand for grants of the Department in the assembly session on Friday, Congress MLAs Th Lokeshwar and Okram Surajkumar moved policy cut motions, contending that the government has failed to set up veterinary hospitals in all the constituencies, could not implement pony policy and failed to protect the indigenous breed.

Responding to the motion, minister Khashim Vashum informed that the total number of veterinary hospitals in the state is 58 and 151 dispensaries, out of which 29 veterinary hospitals and 65 dispensaries are in the hill districts, while 30 hospitals and 86 dispensaries are in the valley districts.

The government also tried to complete construction of 28 veterinary hospitals and 8 dispensaries in the 100 days programme.

There is no problem in the district wise veterinary hospitals, he maintained.

Pointing out that 33 ambulance vehicles have reached the state for operating p as mobile veterinary units, the minister further said that the chief minister is preparing to flag off the ambulances.

The mobile units will visit places where there are no veterinary hospitals and the public could call on animal emergency 1961' for this purpose.

He further said that swine flu is fully controlled and vaccination of animals is in full swing.

Stating that the chief minister is also serious about the pony project, Khashim Vashum confided that the department is trying hard to save the ponies loitering on the roads in Imphal and the animals are being kept at NIT, Lamphel by consulting Horse riding and polo clubs.

In all, 428 ponies are kept in the area, while 30 are at Marjing pony complex, he informed.

He continued that Manipur Pony Conservation and Development Policy was framed in 2016 and the chief minister has been looking after it as the chairperson.

A sum of Rs 400 crore has already been earmarked in the budget and provision for providing fodder to 26 clubs will also be incorporated.

While maintaining that the department has been trying to develop polo ground up to the level of international standard, the minister however noted that people do hot seem to be interested in rearing ponies as there is no profit from it.

As such, the chief minister himself is seriously looking into the matter for preservation of pony and the construction process for having a complex for pony at Heingang hill has also been completed, he added.

Comment