LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh’s Livestock and Milk Development Minister, Dharam Pal Singh, has issued a strong warning to the Chief Veterinary Officers of Sitapur, Bareilly, Moradabad, Pilibhit, Farrukhabad, and Budaun districts for their carelessness and negligence in cow protection efforts at gaushalas (cow shelters). He has instructed them to immediately improve their performance.
Taking serious note of complaints received from several districts, Minister Singh expressed his displeasure and stated that “any form of negligence in cow protection will not be tolerated.” He has directed officials to inspect the gaushalas daily and to be especially vigilant about livestock safety in flood-affected areas.
During a review meeting on cow protection held at his office, Minister Singh emphasized the need for 100% vaccination to protect livestock from infectious diseases like Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD). He also addressed recent reports of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) in Purvanchal and other regions, ordering immediate vaccination and other necessary measures to prevent the spread of the infection.
“There should be no shortage of vaccines and medicines, and special attention must be paid to the quality of the drugs,” he said. He further instructed officials to strictly monitor all poultry farms in the state to prevent any outbreak of Bird Flu, following guidelines from both the central and state governments.
Singh directed senior officials to conduct regular and thorough inspections of gaushalas to ensure essential facilities are available, including fodder, water, electricity, proper shelter from rain, and adequate medicines. He also instructed officials to expedite the “radium belt campaign” for stray cattle to prevent accidents on roads, particularly during the rainy season. He urged them to free up pasture lands from encroachment and use them to grow green fodder. The minister also stressed the importance of ear-tagging work, ensuring full compliance with central government guidelines.
Principal Secretary of Livestock and Milk Development, Amit Kumar Ghosh, assured the minister that his directives would be followed. He instructed officials to ensure that gaushalas are kept clean and free from waterlogging during the rainy season and to promptly and properly dispose of deceased cattle to prevent the spread of infection. The officials were advised to carry out all vaccination-related work for Bird Flu, LSD, and FMD with full dedication and sensitivity.
The meeting was also attended by Special Secretary Devendra Pandey, Director of Animal Husbandry Yogendra Pawar, and other senior departmental officials.
