972 vet posts vacant in State: Minister

 
Addressing a press conference after holding an official review meet here on Tuesday, the Minister said that while the State needs a total of 2,404 veterinarians, the current strength is only 1,432. Similarly, while the sanctioned posts in various organisations of the department in district was 407, only 189 posts were filled and 218 posts remains vacant, he said. “The government will take necessary steps to fill all the vacant posts soon,” he assured.

The government has distributed a total of Rs 443 crore as additional monetary aid to 6,41,000 dairy farmers to promote the dairy farming in the State. Meanwhile, a total of Rs 11.34 crore has been distributed to farmers in the district. The milk production in 2009-10 has been increased to 48.22 lakh tonnes, which was only 45.38 lakh tonnes in 2008-09, he added.

Mobile veterinary treatment units, following the model of ‘Arogya Kavacha - 108,’ will be introduced in 50 taluks in the State to provide medical aid to animals in rural areas, the Minister said. The scheme will be implemented with the participation of private institutions, he added.

A sum of Rs 41.80 crore has been reserved under the Rastriya Krishi Vikas Yojna. A total of Rs 3.09 crore has already been distributed to 39 Self Help Groups under the Suvarna Karnataka Gothali Samrakshana Yojane, which was started in 2006-07, he said.
Initiatives will be taken to develop cattle and sheep rearing farms through Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) mode in the State. A total of Rs 27.58 crore was spent for the construction of buildings for the Department. A total of 327 buildings were completed and the work of 76 buildings nearing completion, he added.

The Department has a target of insuring 10,000 cattles in the district under the Cattle Insurance Scheme - 2010. The scheme will be implemented through National Insurance Company Limited in association with Dakshina Kannada Co-operative Milk Producers’ Federation, the Minister said.

In Udupi

The minister also conducted a review meeting in Udupi. Speaking on the occasion, he said that veterinary colleges will be set up at Hassan and Shimoga. In the backdrop of passing of Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill in both the houses of the Legislature, the state government will open about 175 ‘Goshalas’ in the State. Udupi houses two Goshalas which is situated at Neelavara and Goligundi in Shiroor. A sum of Rs 10 lakh is earmarked for each Goshala, he added.

The work on the construction of buildings for 10 veterinary hospitals and other insititions will be taken up at the cost of Rs 108.50 lakh under RIDF project in Udupi district. Training centre offering guidance to set up poultry farms along with the hatching of ‘Giriraj’ breed will be set up in the district at the cost of Rs 8 lakh, he added.