IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 12, 2022
The Group of Ministers (GoM) formed by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann for effective monitoring for the prevention of lumpy skin disease in the state, has directed to procure 3.33 lakh more doses of Goat Pox vaccine for the prevention of lumpy skin.
During a meeting here at Punjab Bhawan today, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and Animal Husbandry Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar directed that 3.33 lakh more doses should immediately be ordered from approved veterinary research institutes and distributed to all the districts so as to ensure no hindrance in vaccination drive.
“The Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is personally monitoring the situation and daily taking report of the ongoing relief operations in the state” they apprised.
While reviewing the vaccination drive, the Ministers directed that vaccination should be intensified and the target should be doubled to 50,000 per day besides ensuring that vaccination is being done free of cost. They said that so far more than 1.30 lakh cattle have been vaccinated in the state.
GoM Committee Members Principal Secretary Animal Husbandry Vikas Pratap, Finance Commissioner Rural Development K. Siva Prasad and Director Animal Husbandry Dr. Sanjeev Goel was present in the meeting, while Dr. SPS Ghuman, Dean of Veterinary Science College and Dr. SS Randhawa, Director Clinics, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana attended meeting through video conferencing.
The Cabinet Ministers directed the senior officials of the concerned departments to issue instructions to the district officials for providing calcium, vitamins and other necessary medicines for the animals of the state. And, ensure that the guidelines regarding prohibition of entry of livestock from other states into Punjab and holding of animal fair should be followed in letter and spirit, till the disease is contained. The Ministers also reviewed the activities related to spraying of mosquito repellent in the state.
The Cabinet Ministers said that to shun the practice of throwing carcasses of dead animals in the open, the government has issued funds to the BDPOs besides directing them to arrange JCB to ensure burial of dead cattle and remain in touch with sarpanchs of villages. The ministers also urged farmers not to throw the dead animals in the open.
Rejecting the rumors about not consuming the milk of the affected animals, the Animal Husbandry Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar said that this disease does not affect the human body if the milk is well boiled.
He said that the Punjab government stands shoulder to shoulder with farmers in this crisis and committed to provide all possible help to prevent this disease.