Livestock meet now in Mohali

Aman Sood

Tribune News Service

Patiala, November 12

The change of guard in the state has had its impact on the National Livestock Championship. It has become a matter of political one-upmanship for the ruling party, with the department shifting it to the constituency of the minister holding the portfolio.

The event was started by the then SAD-BJP government and was taken to Muktsar, the home district of Badal. It is held during the Maghi Mela in January every year.

In 2017, the Congress government brought the event back to Patiala — the home town of Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, who then held the ministry. With the portfolio now being taken over by Balbir Singh Sidhu, Mohali MLA, the championship too has been shifted to Mohali.

Breeders from Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and other states take part in the championship, which was first held eight years ago. Farmers from the region and other states participate in the event in lakhs.

Dr Inderjit Singh, Director, Animal Husbandry Department, said: “We are holding the 11th national livestock championship at Chappar Chiri village in Mohali. We have already announced dates of the district-level competitions.”

Dr Inderjit said the championship should be held in all districts turn by turn. “The event provides the much-needed exposure to cattle breeders,” he said.

Some livestock owners have appealed to the government not to change the venue because of its association with Maghi Mela in Muktsar. “The previous championship was organised in December 2016. We want the government to organise it in Muktsar during the mela in January,” they said.

Breeders from Patiala alleged that the department officers were trying to appease the minister concerned, ignoring the hardships caused to them as they would have to travel long distance with their cattle.