Beneficiaries rue NEC dairy scheme sans cattle
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 29 2025: Beneficiaries of a dairy farming scheme under the North Eastern Council (NEC) have voiced frustration after receiving cow sheds but not the cattle promised as part of the programme.

The scheme, titled Dairy Farming - A Way of Life for Scheduled Caste Farmers of Manipur, is being implemented by the state veterinary department.

Samjetsabam Rabina, a beneficiary from Phayeng Gram Panchayat, told reporters that she was among the 60 farmers selected under the scheme in 2024 .

She said that construction of cow sheds for the beneficiaries brought hope at a time when the state's ethnic conflict had taken a heavy toll on livelihoods.

According to her, department officials inspected the completed sheds multiple times, but the cattle are yet to be provided.

Rabina said that several farmers have approached the department to raise the issue, but no concrete steps have been taken so far.

She expressed disappointment, noting that many of the unused cow sheds have now been converted into poultry shelters or garbage dumping sites.

She urged the depart ment to distribute the cattle without further delay to ensure that the scheme meets its intended purpose.

Phayeng Gram Panchayat chairman Angom Gojendro also criticised the department for neglecting the NEC scheme and failing to follow through after constructing the cow sheds.

He pointed out that a veterinary dispensary was inaugurated in the area in 2020 by then veterinary minister Oinam Lukhoi under the initiative of the local MLA .

Initially, a veterinary field assistant and an attendant were posted, but the field assistant has since been transferred, leaving the attendant to run the dispensary alone.

Gojendro added that the facility still lacks a power connection and essential equipment, including freezer.

He emphasised that most people in the area rely on farming and cattle rearing as their primary source of income, and such negligence from the authorities has further undermined their already strained livelihoods.

He appealed to the veterinary department to take immediate action and supply the promised cattle to ensure the success of the NEC-sup-ported dairy scheme.

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