Liquid nitrogen gas shortage hits cattle insemination

Rajiv Mahajan

NURPUR, DECEMBER 25

The irregular liquid nitrogen gas supply in veterinary dispensaries and hospitals has affected the artificial insemination of milch cattle in lower Kangra areas.

The gas-producing plant at Palampur, which had been installed by spending Rs 3.50 crore during 2015-16, has been lying idle since June this year. The gas has a vital role in preserving artificial insemination injections (straws) that require -196 degree temperature. These straws go waste if not kept in liquid nitrogen gas containers.

As per information, the Animal Husbandry Department has outsourced the gas supply from a private party. At present, Kangra district has 94 veterinary hospitals, 330 veterinary dispensaries, besides 369 rural dispensaries, under the Mukhyamantri Arogya Pashudhan Yojna.

The private supplier had been directed by the department to supply at least 24,000-litre gas supply every month but he is supplying the maximum 18,000 litre gas. A letter was written to the supplier on July 7 by the department for ensuring the regular gas supply so that the insemination of milch cattle would not suffer.

Inquiries reveal that in September and October, merely 12,000-litre gas was supplied.

Admitting a gap in the demand and supply of liquid nitrogen gas, Dr Lal Gopal, gas plant in charge, Palampur, said it had become a challenge to ensure regular and timely supply of liquid nitrogen gas in all veterinary dispensaries and hospitals.

He said the defective gas plant had been inspected twice by engineers but they failed to repair or make it functional. He said the company had offered to replace the defected plant by charging Rs 50 lakh but the company was not ready to give warranty of the new plant.