Chennai: Tamil Nadu government has come up with a novel idea to keep beneficiaries of a government scheme, under which milch cows, sheeps and goats are distributed for free to landless poor, motivated in rearing the animals by announcing prizes worth thousands of rupees for best maintenance.
In a recent order, the state Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries Department Secretary Gagandeep Singh Bedi referred to a Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences' report which observed that most beneficiaries of were first time animal owners and skills on animal rearing were imparted to them to maximize production and productivity.
DAHVS has recommended these awards to encourage the beneficiaries to follow good management practices to rear the goats/sheep and milch cows, Bedi said.
Ten prizes for best maintained milch cows in each district, 15 prizes for best maintained goats/sheeps in each district and merit certificates to five committed veterinary Assistant Surgeons in each districts who have taken special efforts at motivating owners under the schemes will be awarded, he said.
A total estimated cost of Rs 3.99 lakh and Rs 6.045 lakh for prizes in milch cows and sheeps/goats categories respectively will be realised from the available contingency fund under the scheme.
Milch cow owners who stand first, second and third will get prizes worth Rs 5000, Rs 4000 and Rs 3000 respectively, while seven others will get a consolation prize worth Rs 1000.
However, to make the idea realise its intention to the fullest, prizes will be given in the form of concentrate feed procured from the Tamil Nadu Co-operative Milk Producers' Federation under the brand of 'Aavin.'
Funds for the same will be transferred to respective District Milk Producers Unions and Aavin will adjust the funds towards supply of concentrate feed on a daily basis, he said.
The scheme of distributing these animals was launched by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on September 15 last year.
The state government had earlier issued orders for distributing goats/sheeps to over seven lakh landless poor families and milch cows to over 60,000 needy families living in the rural areas over a period of five years.
As for goats/sheeps category, first, second and third prize winners will get prizes worth Rs 3000, Rs 2500 and Rs 2000 respectively; while 12 others will get a consolation prize worth Rs 1000.
"The prizes will be in the form of concentrate feed and funds for the same will be transferred to TANUVAS. The concerned Veterinary Assistant Surgeon will receive and distribute the feed to the beneficiary," he said.
Prizes for animals distributed during the year 2011-12 would be given preferably on the Tamil New Year Day on April 13 this year after it is approved by respective district collectors, the order said.
Attempting to avoid bias, committees are being formed constituting concerned Regional Joint Director, Assitant Director of the department and officials from TANUVAS for selecting the prize winners.
Of the santioned Rs 135 and Rs 56 crore for goats/sheeps and milch cows categories for the year 2011-12, a contingency fund of Rs 5 crore and Rs 2 crore were available to meet unexpected expenses.
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