No food grains shortage in K'taka: Minister

Sirsi, Karnataka, Jan 9 (UNI) Asserting that Karnataka is not facing shortage of food grains at present, State Animal Husbandry Minister Revu Nayak Belamgi today said he has submitted a proposal worth Rs 42 crore to the Finance department as a precautionary measure to overcome food grains scarcity in future.

Talking to newspersons here after reviewing his department's performance in Uttara Kannada district, he said he had instructed the Deputy Commissioners of all districts to submit a report of the food grain position in their respectice districts so that the State could seek the help of the Union Government. He had spoken in this regard to Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, he added.

The Minister said the insurance scheme for milch cattle would be introduced in the State from this month. Initially, the scheme would be introduced in Bangalore Urban, Bangalore Rural, Kolar and Mandya districts on a pilot basis. The cattle would be insured for a sum of Rs 10,000 to 15,000.

Mr Belamgi said the State Government would be implementing a new scheme 'Suvarvna Karnataka Gotali Samrakshana' programme, under which the Government would provide up to Rs ten lakhs for a recognised institution for the development of infrastructure to protect indigenous cattle breed.

He said that as per the D M Nanjudappa Committee recommendation that the Government sanction 69 new veterinary hospitals in backward and most backward regions of the State, the Government had released Rs eight crore for the purpose. For the first time, the State Government had taken steps to supply 55,200 tonnes of maize to poultry owners with the help of the Union government.

UNI