Distribution of livestock put off

The Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development departments along with Aavin had also instructed its officials to ensure that the supply of milk through Aavin is not disrupted.

Due to coronavirus outbreak, all the events related to Animal Husbandry Department will be postponed until further orders, but the essential services by the department like distribution of milk and the operations of veterinary clinics will continue, animal husbandry secretary K Gopal told DT Next.

“The veterinarians and government staff attached to local bodies are upset with the recent department’s circular to be prepared for the functions so that the annual deadlines are met for the populist scheme. But, now we are looking forward to the state to postpone the distribution of livestock scheme until the virus infection subsidises,” said a veterinary assistant surgeon who was issued a circular to arrange for the free distribution programme.

“We are asked to maintain one-metre distance for each beneficiary during the time of distribution. In Namakkal, the veterinarians were asked to disinfect the beneficiaries before handing over the chicks. In The Nilgiris where the district is closed for tourists was also scheduled for distributing goats, but now the authorities have realised to delay the programme, the veterinarian said.

A senior veterinarian with the department also demanded the mass vaccination programme of foot and mouth diseases to be suspended until the coronavirus loses its virulence. In Himachal Pradesh, the vaccination programme for livestock has been suspended to protect the veterinarians and the state should also take such concrete long-term decision.

The state and Centre’s policy that promotes social distancing to prevent coronavirus outbreak is the need of the hour and the veterinary staff should not be compelled to participate in government schemes, the veterinarian added.