IEP Chandigarh, March 1
Punjab Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Dairy Development Minister S. Laljit Singh Bhullar, on Wednesday, said that to economically strengthen the farmers community, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led government will promote Sahiwal cattle breed across Punjab by organizing the National Cattle Breed Improvement Fair every year. Addressing the gathering after inaugurating Livestock Breed Exhibition and Sahiwal Calves Rally at village Dhinga Wali of Balluana constituency in district Fazilka, the Cabinet Minister said it is a matter of pride that district Fazilka, considered to be stronghold of Sahiwal breed, has been selected for the Sahiwal breed improvement program. He informed that the best Sahiwal bulls are selected under this project and their sperm cells sent to other states of the country for artificial insemination, which consequently increasing the sources of income of the livestock farmers. Besides this, milking of Sahiwal breed cattle is being done by visiting keeper’s home and an incentive of Rs.1000 per cattle is given to the farmers for continuously milking of his cow till the milking is over. Animal Husbandry Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar also announced resumption of tehsil and district level milking competitions and prizes for winners. State government organizes rallies of Sahiwal breed calves to encourage and honour livestock farmers, said the Animal Husbandry Minister, adding that the calves of good milk production Sahiwal cows are bought by the animal husbandry department at a price of Rs.35000 to 40000. Appreciating livestock farmers of village Dhingawali for rearing 4000 cattle of Sahiwal breed, Laljit Singh Bhullar said that the loss-making agriculture can only be saved by adopting animal rearing as this agro-auxiliary occupation is the second major source of income for the farmer after agriculture. He said that the state government was constantly recruiting veterinary doctors to provide better facilities to the livestock farmers, thus Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has bestowed appointment letters to 315 newly appointed veterinary officers in the department recently. While addressing, Balluana MLA Amandeep Singh Goldi Musafar said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led government has initiated various projects worth crores in the Balluana constituency in the last one year, while the previous governments were reluctant to pay any attention towards the development of the constituency. On his demand to improve bus service in the constituency, the Cabinet Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar, who also holds the charge of the transport department, said new permits will be issued as per the demand of the area. Earlier, Kuldeep Kumar Deep Kamboj also addressed the gathering. Prominent amongst others who were present on this occasion included, Deputy Commissioner Dr. Senu Duggal, SSP Avneet Kaur Sidhu, SDM Akash Bansal, Deputy Director Animal Husbandry Rajeev Chhabra, Dharamvir Godara, Manoj Kumar, Sukhwinder Singh, Angrez Singh, Baldev Singh, Jyoti Prakash, Vijay Saharan.
