The Chief Minister reviewed the issues pertaining to Animal Husbandry and allied subjects with the Minister Mr.K.Parthasarathy and senior officials here today.

The Chief Minister was informed that this year sheep insurance scheme is targeted for five lakh sheep as against 3.37 lakhs insured during 2009-10.  About 7 to 8 lakh rural families belonging to weaker sections depend on sheep rearing.  With 255 lakh sheep population, A.P.stands at No.1 position in the country and with 96 lakh Goat population, the State stands at No.7 position in the country.

Reviewing the Dairy sector in the State, the Chief Minister directed the officials to improve the quality of dairy products.  The officials said that the loan amount Rs.26.60 crore due by the State Government to NDDB has been settled and a sum of Rs.7.00 crore has been released as first installment.  It was also informed that a mega dairy project (fully automated milk process line) at Hyderabad has been taken up at a cost of Rs.50 crore and will be completed in a phased manner over 3-4 years.

Reviewing Animal Husbandry, the Chief Minister noted that 150 posts of Veterinary Assistant Surgeons were sanctioned and agreed to fill up the pending 35 posts also.  Like wise, he has also agreed for filling up of  404 posts of Veterinary Assistants.  He also agreed to enhance the sustenance allowance being given to the Gopal Mitras from Rs.1,200 to Rs.2,000.  It was also agreed to unitise vacant lands available in the premises of Veterinary institutions in the state by leasing developing them on PPP model through open bidding, to earn revenues by the Animal Husbandry department.  It is also proposed to provide veterinary medicines at subsidy rates  to shepherds through mobile vans besides stocking them at either Mandal headquarters or Divisional headquarters for the benefit of the farmers.  It is also decided to renovate the veterinary hospital buildings that are in dilapidated condition or to construct new buildings where ever required.  A sum of Rs.12.00 crore has been released for the purpose and it is proposed to release another sum of Rs.38.00 crore for the purpose by pooling up the funds of State, RIDF and RKVY.  The Chief Minister has agreed to take up the issue of providing of 30% of funds to allied sectors in the State under RKVY with the Centre as at present the funds to that extent are not being allotted. 

Reviewing the Fisheries department, the Chief Minister agreed to transfer the amount of Rs.50 crore (arrears from 2004-05) due from Marketing department to Fisheries department towards market cess collected in installments.  It is proposed to develop four fishing harbours in the state at Uppada, Juvvaladinne, Nizampatnam phase-II, and Antervedipallepalem integrated fishing harbour at a cost of Rs.20 crore each.  The Centre has already sanctioned its share for the Antervedi harbour.  The Centre will share 75% of the cost of these harbours.  The Chief Minister was informed that a sum of Rs.138.34 lakhs towards the matching share of State under Relief cum Savings scheme (Centrally sponsored) has been released.  It is also informed that a sum of Rs.3.77 crore has been released towards supply of rice to the fishermen during the ban period. The Chief Minister has agreed to fill up 22 vacant posts of Asst. Inspector of Fisheries as well as for filling up of 33 vacant posts of Fisheries Development Officers.  It was informed that a modern Fish Market is being set up at Vijayawada and a sum of Rs.5.00 crore has already been released for the purpose with the assistance of NFDB.