The Punjab Deputy Chief Minister, S. Sukhbir Singh Badal today said that Animal Husbandry as emerged from the shadows of Agriculture as an ‘independent and parallel economy’ which is due to the District, State and National level livestock championships commenced by the state government to encourage breeders of good breed of animals leading to increased awareness.Addressing the animal breeders here on the occasion of distributing prizes during 9th National Livestock Championship & Livestock Expo-2016, S. Badal said that it was keeping in view the interest of the people of the state in Animal Husbandry sector that the state government began organizing Livestock Championship 8 years ago. He said that these championships had today acquired a place of pride at the national level and the top notch breeders of good quality animals from northern part of the country make it a point to take part in these championships.
The Deputy Chief Minister further said that due to this novel initiative of the Punjab Government, the breed improvement programmes in the state have got a big boost and today Punjab occupies enviable position in milk production from top breed animals. He also said that as of today Punjab produces more than 107 million tonnes and the availability of milk per person is 933 grams which thrice that of the national average.Divulging more, the Deputy Chief Minister said that this time the prize money of the championship was increased from 1.25 crores to Rs. 1.50 crores which would be further increased to Rs. 2 crore from next year onwards so as to encourage breeders of top quality animals. He further elaborated that the Animal Husbandry Department ensures online registration of good breed of animals so as to make it easy to identify them. He announced a grant of Rs. 25 lakh for renovation of stadium at Sri Muktsar Sahib on the occasion.Interacting with media-persons, the Deputy Chief Minister said that the DGP has been instructed to ensure that the use of firearms during the marriage functions is curbed. He also made it clear that the SAD is announcing the candidates for assembly polls in accordance with the wishes of the people of concerned constituency.
The Deputy Chief Minister also informed that the police has initiated a vigorous and specialized campaign to nab the prisoners who fled from the nabha jail.Earlier, the Animal Husbandry Minister, Punjab, Gulzar Singh Ranike said that the state government has made herculean efforts in the direction of improving the breed of animals. He also said that owing to the organizing of livestock championships, people are becoming more aware about this unique sector.Among others present on the occasion included Advisor to the Chief Minister-P.K. Uppal, Chairman Punjab Agro Jathedar Dyal Singh Kolianwali, President SAD Malwa Zone-1 Kanwarjit Singh Rozybarkandi, Vardev Singh Nony Mann, Harpal Singh Bedi, Deputy Commissioner Sumit Jarangal, SSP Gurpreet Singh Gill, Director Animal Husbandry Dr. H.S. Sandha, Director Dairy Development Dr. Inderjit Singh, and Deputy Director Sukhminder Singh.