For organized trade of livestock, Government to setup sheep Mandis in every district, besides slaughter houses in every block if the state.This was stated by Principal Secretary Animal, Sheep and Fisheries Department Dr Asghar HassanSamoon during a three-day tour of Chenab valley to access the sheep, animal, fisheries and transport department in the area. Highlighting the consumption of meat and potential of the livestock sector in the state, Dr Samoon said there is need to organize this sector and sheep Mandis will give it an organized look besides motivating more and more youth to become livestock entrepreneurs.“Hundreds of sheep are imported in the state every year. It is important to provide platform to the industry. Establishment of sheep Mandis will be win-win situation for both customer and traders. Other than giving space to traders to sell their livestock, it will save customers from overpricing,” Samoon told officials.He was accompanied by Director Animal Husbandry Dr Victor Kaul, and Director Sanjeev Kumar, Director Fisheries R N Pandita, Director State Motor Garages (SMG) Zakir Hussain and officials of these departments. He also held meeting with respective deputy commissioners of Kishtiwar, Doda and Ramban during the visit to these areas.Saying that foot and mouth disease proves fatal for the cattle and sheep and cause a severe loss to the economy besides public health, Dr Samoon health and safety standards will be maintained in these mandis by the sheep department.
Dr Samoon also called for setting up new slaughter houses in every block besides reviving existing slaughter houses on scientific lines. He asked for identifying land and submitting Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) at earliest.He also asked for utilization of funds for spreading awareness, training and capacity building of farmers and to organize livestock show cum awareness camps in every area.He also asked for attracting young aspiring entrepreneurs for establishing medium to large sheep farms and facilitating credit lending scheme through banks.Dr Samoon also called for submitting proposal of setting up poly clinics, laboratories and veterinary hospitals in all areas and upgrading existing infrastructure. He along with deputy commissioners also visited various sites for setting up infrastructure of these departments.During meeting with transport officials, Dr. Samoon said Rs 10 crore have been released for procuring new buses for improving transport facilities especially in hungry routes.Transport officers were directed to provide route more route permit to the unemployed youth with a rider that they will play their vehicles in their respective areas of Chenab valley only so that issue of overloading is addressed.Strictly calling for allowing only good condition buses to play on the Chenab roads, Dr Samoon directed for not allowing above 15 years of vehicles on Chenab roads. He also called for setting up vehicle inspection and certification centers in Doda, Ramban and Kishtwar districts. He directed the authorities to prepare DPR for the construction of taxi stand at Banihal besides procuring road safety equipment’s for traffic personnel manning traffic on highway.
On day third, he held meeting with District Development Commissioner, Ramban, Showkat Aijaz Bhat along with sheep, animal, fisheries and transport department officials.Dr. Samoon asked the DDC Ramban to provide adequate funds to Animal, Sheep and Fisheries departments from district capex budget because this sector is the main source of income for rural population.He reviewed the functioning of departments and said that Ramban district has big potential of Animal husbandry, Dairy, Fish, Poultry and Sheep farming and directed the officers to develop advance infrastructure for providing quality services to farmers so that people can earn their livelihood at their doorstep. Meanwhile, certain decisions related to department were taken on the spot. He asked the DDC to provide the land for establishing Polyclinics in all blocks and Nitrogen plant to improve Artificial Insemination for improving the breed of animals in the district. Later he also inspected Sheep breeding farm at Chanderkote and checked the status of livestock and its productions besides distributing Tarpaulins among the beneficiaries and directed the officers and officials to carry out their professional duties with dedication and make every scheme of the department a great success.