KCR cleared proposals for releasing about Rs 800 crore

In yet another step towards bringing White Revolution in Telangana, Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao cleared proposals for releasing about Rs 800 crore for the distribution of buffaloes to 2.17 lakh dairy farmers registered with cooperative dairies in the State.Each buffalo, costing about Rs 80,000, will be supplied to the beneficiary at 50 per cent subsidy. The remaining cost will have to be borne by the beneficiary.

Giving details of the progress of Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries departments this year, Minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav said another Rs 50 crore was released towards payment of arrears under the dairy incentive scheme, providing an additional incentive of Rs 4 per litre milk purchased by dairy cooperative societies from farmers.

“About Rs 100 crore is paid to dairy farmers towards incentive every year and we released Rs 50 crore on Friday. Dairy farmers need not worry as the remaining amount also will be released shortly,” he said.To promote State-run Vijaya Dairy, the government issued directions to all departments, organisations and endowment temples to use its products. The government recognised the need to market the dairy products and is designing promotional campaigns. Yadav said salaries of 1,332 Gopala Mitras will be hiked shortly.

Further, the Fisheries Department completed the scrutiny of about two lakh applications and will start distribution of assets such as two-wheeler mobile fish sales units, crafts and nets, vending units, mobile fish counters and others. About 150 mobile outlets will be opened in Greater Hyderabad for the sale of quality fish. The equipment and vehicles are supplied at 75 per cent subsidy.In a major push to the fisheries sector, the government is gearing up to release 80 crore fishlings this year. “We achieved eight times returns (productivity) for every rupee spent on fisheries last year. The entire production benefited the fishermen community, facilitating a stronger rural economy,” the Minister said.

For promotion of the sector and providing direct benefits to fishermen, the State is drafting proposals to partner with private players for processing, marketing, exports and others. Prawn cultivation is being taken up in about nine reservoirs and officials want to increase it this year. Keeping in mind future requirements, fishlings are being bred in the government and private hatcheries in Telangana. “Production of fishlings increased from eight crore in 2016-17 to 18 crore in 2017-18,” he said.

Yadav said the government distributed about 58.9 lakh sheep at an expenditure of about Rs 3,500 crore, comprising both the State government subsidy and the beneficiary’s component. To provide better healthcare to sheep and cattle, it decided to double the fleet of 100 mobile veterinary clinics to 200, and improve their seating capacity from 10 to 30 animals. Further, proposals are being prepared to renovate and repair existing veterinary clinics to improve facilities.