Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 22: Minister of State with Independent Charge of Animal and Sheep Husbandry, Nazir Ahmed Gurezi today lamented that being directly linked to 75 percent population, the Animal and Sheep Husbandry Departments were never considered the priority sectors by the Government.
Replying to the annual grants of his Ministry, Gurezi said that people take this Department very lightly and no one understands its importance.
Highlighting the importance of the Animal and Sheep Husbandry departments, he said if there is less number of health centers in rural areas, the people can manage to visit nearby centers for treatment but it is difficult to take animals for treatment to a long distance.
He said the people linked to animal and sheep husbandry are responsible for increasing milk and mutton production and not the Government.
The Government can help them and provide assistance from time to time.
Stressing on adopting of latest kind of technology in the Animal and Sheep Husbandry the Minister said, opening of diary farms on pattern of latest technology can be highly beneficial. Besides removing unemployment, it will help in increasing the milk production in the state, he added.
Elaborating he said during his recent visit to Samba area he saw a youth who had opened a small dairy farm with four cows and his per day income was Rs 2000 exclusive of expenses of fodder and labour.
The Minister said that 90 percent centers have no infrastructure in the State and they are run in private buildings.
The Minister said to overcome the shortage of Veterinary doctors 104 Veterinary Assistant surgeons were appointed.
He said the milk production in the State during year 2009-10 was 15.92 lakh mts and efforts are afoot to achieve over 20.00 lakh mts during current fiscal. Besides 3,6420 families were brought under poultry Development Scheme.
Assuring the members that new centers will be opened he said, all the MLAs will be taken into confidence in this regard.
Earlier participating in the debate CPI (M) MLA, M Y Tarigami suggested that a selected group of MLAs be sent to Centre to persuade the Union Government to grant tribal status to Chopan Community.
He said a resolution in this regard was passed in the House in 2010 but the Centre has not taken any cognizance to this so far. He said granting Tribal status to Chopan community is a long pending genuine demand.
Tarigami said that the contribution of Sheep and Animal Husbandry Departments to the state economy was significant and both the sectors have vast potential in view of most favourable geo-topographic conditions of the State.
He said there is a great demand for mutton and milk for which the State is largely dependent on the import of these products, which was a great question mark for the planners and scientists.
Prof Garu Ram said that the land in R S Pura has same potential that of Punjab but we are far behind from Punjab. He stressed on organizing awareness camps for farmers.
G M Saroori said state is purchasing the sheep from Rajasthan where no pastures and fodder is available as is in J&K. He said that raring of low technology birds were given to a particular cast while the other poor people were ignored.
Dr Mustafa Kamaal stressed on increasing production of sheep, milk, goats and poultry birds to make the state self sufficient and also for eradication of the unemployment. He said efforts should be made to bridge the gap between demand and supply.
He stressed that Gadi –Sipti and Dhoomb be given ST status.
M S Niaz said that due to non availability of doctors and other staff in rural areas thousands of animals die of various diseases. He also demanded that mobile centers be opened in Pahari areas at every Panchayat.
He demanded a scheme be framed for the development of pastures in the State.
Yash Paul Kundal of NPP said that one poultry farm during the rainy season was washed away in his constituency and till date the owner was not paid any compensation by the Government. He also demanded subsidy on poultry.
Ashok Kumar said 40 percent posts in AHD are vacant in Ramban district and stressed on opening of Animal Husbandry centers in his constituency besides a Sheep farm.
Engineer Rashid expressed concern over the dog menace and demanded that efforts be made to contain the same as in 20 days 718 people were bitten by stray dogs in Kashmir Valley as per media reports.
Ashwani Sharma said 80 percent people are linked to AHD and Sheep Husbandry departments in the state. He stressed that Animal Husbandry centers need improvement and no proper attention is paid in budget to this department.
Expressing concern over the failure of Government to increase the milk production in the state, Ashwani said 40 to 60 percent people still use tin milk and demanded opening of veterinary and sheep centers in his constituency.
Abdul Gani Malik of NC demanded that pastures land be acquired for nomads and sheds be constructed for them enroute. He also demanded a scheme for Sheep & Wool workers.
Durga Dass demanded a sheep Centre be set up at Jatwal area in his Constituency and an AHD sub Centre be opened at Tatyal.
Qamar Ali Akhoon demanded that Yak Farms at Leh and Kargil be developed and the Ladakh region be given benefit of Centrally Sponsored Schemes.
Bharat Bushan said that banks don’t provide loan for opening of poultry farms in the state and there is no proper initiative from Government in opening of dairy farms.
He said 80 percent posts are vacant in AHD and Sheep Husbandry in his constituency.
Javed Dar demanded that efforts should be made for conservation of two unique species of animals in Ladakh and insurance scheme for live stock be initiated.
Krishan Chander Bhagat also participated in the discussion.
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