Mann government effectively dealt with Lumpy Skin disease spread in cattle -

– 10 lakh doses of Goat Pox vaccine worth Rs.1.54 crore airlifted

– Medicines worth Rs.1.37 crore provided for the treatment of cattle across the state

– Government will start mega vaccination drive from February 15, 2023

Chandigarh, 31 December 2022 : Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann-led government has effectively dealt with the infectious virus, Lumpy Skin disease, prevalent among cattle in the state. Whereas the government has formed the Group of Ministers (GoM) to closely gauge the current situation and planning future strategies to prevent a revival of LSD in the state, necessary vaccines and medicines were immediately ordered and dedicated teams were formed to provide treatment at the grassroots level so as to ensure the disease can be controlled effectively. Chalking out future strategy, Mann government has also decided to start the mega vaccination drive from February 15, 2023.

Animal Husbandry Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar informed that 10 lakh doses of Goat Pox vaccine worth Rs.1.54 crore were airlifted to control the disease and medicines worth Rs.1.37 crore have been provided for the treatment of cattle across the state. He said that around 9.5 lakh cattle were vaccinated with goat pox.

The GoM, comprising of Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema, Agriculture Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal and Animal Husbandry Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar, has directed the officials of Animal Husbandry department to start the vaccination drive from February 15, 2023 and vaccinate the entire 25 lakh cattle population in the state by April 30, 2023. They also directed officials to immediately initiate the process for procuring about 25 lakh doses at cost effective prices from the Veterinary Biological and Research Institute, Hyderabad (Telangana). The Cabinet Ministers formed a 7-member committee to decide the need of vaccinating buffaloes with goat pox vaccine.

The officials were also directed to launch an awareness campaign to sensitize farmers, especially dairy farmers of the state regarding the prevention of deadly diseases in the livestock so that they can opt for the precautionary measures at an early stage.

Notably, the Animal Husbandry Department has formed 673 teams for the vaccination of the cattle. Apart from this, final year students and interns of Bachelor of Veterinary Science (B.V.Sc) were also roped in for vaccination and awareness campaigns. These teams ensured the implementation of the government guidelines for the treatment and control of disease in the state.

Veterinary Officers Posts doubled

Hitting another milestone for providing maximum employment opportunities to the youth of the state, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led government doubled the posts of Veterinary Officers (VOs) to 418 in the Animal Husbandry Department.

Animal Husbandry Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar said, “353 posts of Veterinary Officers in the department were reduced to 200 by the previous Congress government and we immediately after taking over in the state, has considered the case of these posts, which were increased from 200 to 418. The recruitment process for the posts of VOs has been completed through the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) and the appointment letters will be given soon to the eligible candidates.”

Mr. Bhullar said that as many as 152 Veterinary Inspectors (VIs) have been recruited in the Animal Husbandry Department recently, while the department has already issued an advertisement for the recruitment of 60 more Veterinary Inspectors.