RUPEES EIGHT CRORE ASSISTANCE RELEASED TO GOSHALAS

Bhubaneswar: Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Department today released Rs. 8.11 crore as assistance to 59 Goshalas of the state in a function held at Krushi Bhavan, Bhubaneswar. The Hon’ble Minister, Fisheries & Animal Resources Development Sri Ranendra Pratap Swain graced the occasion as the chief guest and said that our beloved Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik is committed to animal welfare.

The state government is providing assistance to registered Goshalas of the state @ Rs 20,000 per adult cattle unit per year. It has been enhanced from Rs.16,000/- per Adult Cattle Unit. For establishment of new Goshalas, the state government is providing assistance of Rs.20 lakh to Rs. 52 lakh for maintaining 50 to 150 animals respectively. Until now, 27 ‘Go Ahead’ letters have been issued towards this. The Minister has added that the state government under able leadership of the Chief Minister would work towards animal welfare and go on assisting the animal welfare organizations for betterment of stray and abandoned animals.

The Principal Secretary, F&ARD Sri Suresh Kumar Vashishth has focused on the new scheme ‘Vermicompost-Godhan Kendra’ introduced by the state government as a measure towards waste management in Goshalas and dairy units. Cow-dung and urine produced as waste shall now be utilized to make bio fertilizer in the form of vermicompost to economically support the goshalas and dairy farmers. There is a provision of 50 per cent subsidy in this scheme up to a maximum of Rs. 10 lakh. Director, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Shri Ramashis Hazra delivered the welcome address and functionaries of goshalas along with departmental officers were present on the occasion.