Government: No more cattle fairs in Punjab

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 4

Following the outbreak of lumpy skin disease (LSD), the Animal Husbandry Department has asked the Rural Development Department to discontinue cattle fairs as it may aggravate the situation. Every year, around 900 cattle fairs take place in the state.

On Tuesday, the Director of the Animal Husbandry Department asked the Department of Rural Development and Panchayats to discontinue the cattle fairs.

Earlier, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Dairy Development Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar had directed to depute veterinary officers posted at the head office in most-affected districts with immediate effect.

The Cabinet minister said veterinary officers posted at the head office had been deputed in five districts on a temporary basis.

Veterinary Officer Dr Preeti Singh has been deputed in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Dr Karan Goyal in Fazilka, Dr Harinder Singh in Barnala, Dr Anil Sethi in Bathinda and Dr Parampal Singh in Muktsar. These officers would monitor every situation till August 31 and make all possible efforts to tackle the disease, said the minister, adding that they had been instructed to join their respective districts immediately.

Bhullar also directed the district deputy directors to intensify field visits. The officials were asked to ensure that a report pertaining to the number of villages, houses and infected animals covered should be sent to the head office by 3 pm daily.

Rs 76 lakh released to tackle disease

• The Animal Husbandry Department released Rs 76 lakh for all districts to procure medicines. Initially, the department had just allocated Rs 25,000 for every district
• Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar said Rs 5 lakh each has been allocated for five border districts. Besides, Rs 3 lakh each has been provided to all other districts

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