Package for Animal Husbandry, Dairy, Fisheries, Veterinary: CM

Vijayawada, Apr 28: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhar Reddy has announced a package of Rs 500 crore to strengthen the Animal Husbandry, Dairy, Fisheries and Veterinary Departments in the state, said the Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Minister Mandali Buddha Prasad said here today.

Speaking in a press conference during his madien visit to the city after becoming Minister, he said the Chief Minister had announced the package at a review meeting held last evening at Hyderabad.

Chief Minister had asked him to draw an action plan and utilise the funds in a proper way.

Mr Prasad said an amount of Rs 250 crore for the Animal Husbandry Department, Rs 150 crore for Dairy development, Rs 90 crore for Fisheries and Rs 30 crore for Veterinary department had been allocated. One lakh she-buffaloes would be given to the farmers as subsidy, he added.

As the acqua culture in the coastal belt was in the developmental front, a 'fisheries polytechnic' would be set up at Avanigadda here, for which land would be acquired, he added.

Mr Prasad said efforts were on to develop the veterinary college at Gannavaram.

The Fisheries Department was planning to construct community halls for providing shelter to the fishermen during cyclones, he added.

Earlier on his arrival at the Vijayawada Railway Station from Hyderabad, the Congress leaders and workers had given a rousing reception to the Minister.

UNI