Veterinary hospitals will be developed on priority basis: Director
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 14 2021: Developing Veterinary hospitals to meet the new challenges by providing enough manpower and infrastructure including machineries will be the first priority.

Dr Chabungbam Nandakishore, the newly appointed Director of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry, said this at a press briefing held at his office room at Sanjenthong today.

Manpower shortage in veterinary hospitals at various districts will be addressed and required equipment will also be provided to benefit the farmers and domesticated animals, he added.

He added that the budget allocation for the department is not enough to meet the requirement of the department and hence funds from NABARD are used to address the requirements.

NABARD has also released the funds and work agency will be utilized to start working on the needs of the district veterinary hospitals.

Dr Ch Nandakishore said the department is currently making a project to provide assistance to youths who want to engage in livestock rearing/farming in cooperation with the banks.

The scheme will be taken up in line with Entrepreneurship Development Programme under National Livestock Mission.

Under the project, a sum or Rs 25 lakh will be provided to people who want to start poultry farms; Rs 50 lakh for Sheep and Goat farms; Rs 30 lakh for piggery and upto Rs 50 lakh for fodder and animal feed farms.

50% of the amount will be loan while the other 50% will be provided as subsidy, he added.

In addition to these, the department is also currently working on establishing a goat farm at Heingang to benefit ST/SC and minority communities by providing kid at a cheaper rate.

The new Director added that it was really unfortunate that some unfounded reports about the departments were being published in some local media and some people were obstructing the functioning of the department.

Appropriate actions will be taken up against those spreading fake news and reports and appealed the media houses to confirm and cross check the information they received to remove any miscommunication between the media and the department.

He also assured that the 22 pigs from the UK brought under the National Livestock Mission for Manipur currently at Punjab due to the pandemic will be brought to the state by August.

Dr Ch Nandakishore also appealed all the officers and staff of the department to work together for the welfare of the livestock and farmers of the state.

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