Modifications to special package for suicide-prone districts

New Delhi, Aug 9 (UNI) The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) today approved modifications to the special package for livestock sector and fisheries in the 31 suicide-prone districts of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala.

''This will, however, not change the overall size of the relief package,'' Finance Minister P Chidambaram told reporters after the CCEA meeting that gave the approval.

The modifications, suggested by the four states according to their specific needs, will lead to effective implementation of the package, he said.

For Andhra Pradesh, the average estimated cost for estrus synchronisation envisaged in breeding services will now be Rs 650 per animal against Rs 500 per animal provided in the special package.

The additional amount will come from the funds made available for artificial insemination, which requires only Rs 300 instead of Rs 450 per animal.

Also, in place of ten fodder block making units involving a financial outlay of Rs 4.26 crore over three years, only two fodder block making units will be set up at a cost of Rs 85 lakh.

The remaining Rs 3.41 crore will be used for setting up 100 mini feed mixing plants at a cost of Rs 6.5 lakh per unit, providing a subsidy of 50 per cent to the beneficiary.

For Maharashtra, the CCEA approved that the savings achieved due to availability of 25 per cent subsidy under the Chief Minister's Relief Package will be used for induction of cattle in excess of 1000 per district per annum.

Farmers will now also have an option to have concentrate feed instead of fodder blocks for their cattle. The amount available as subsidy for fodder blocks will be deposited quarterly with the self help groups who would be free to purchase the concentrate feed readily available in the market as per the choice of beneficiaries.

For Karnataka, the Government permittted de-worming, urea molasses block as a substitute for estrus synchronization mineral mixture to bring animals into fertile heat.

Kerala has been allowed to use the savings achieved in the artificial insemination project for supply of mineral mixture and kits for detection, prevention and control of mastitis.

UNI