Sheep distribution programme from June 20

The State government’s ambitious programme of distributing 20 sheep and a ram to each Yadavas and Golla Kuruma family in the State will start from June 20, and arrangements have been made at all the sheep distribution centres to make it a success, Minister for Animal Husbandry T Srinivas Yadav said on Monday.

Speaking to mediapersons after participating in a workshop on the programme, he said instructions have been issued to officials concerned to ensure transparenency while selecting beneficiaries. The government has decided to sanction 50 per cent of sheep units this year and the remaining for next year. Department officials along with veterinary doctors toured neighbouring States – Andhra Pradesh, Maharashatra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu – for purchase of



sheep.

“The government will not wash its hand off once the sheep units are distributed. It will ensure proper supply of fodder and medicines too,” Srinivas Yadav said.The Minister said 100 mobile veterinary clinics have been sent to Assembly constituencies and toll free number has also been set up to give medical aid to the sheep. Chief minister K Chandrashekhar Rao has directed forest department officials to allow grazing of sheep in forests. Stylo grass will be raise on grazing lands for the sheep, to ensure there is no dearth of healthy fodder for the sheep, Yadav explained.

Later, the officials announced that there was no scarcity of sheep for distribution. Animal Husbandry Director Venkateshwarlu and other officials participated in the meeting.