Chandigarh, December 31
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.
