J&K set up check post to ensure import of healthy livestock

Srinagar, Oct 9 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir government has set up a check post at Lakhanpur to ensure round the clock clinical surveillance on the livestock and poultry being imported from different states.

According to an estimate, the state is importing livestock and poultry worth billions of rupees as about 30,000 chicken and 5000 sheeps and goats are being consumed in the valley daily during normal days. However, the number increases during festivals and marriage season.

An official spokesman said the Rinderpest check post at Lakhanpur, the first entry point bordering Punjab, had been created to ensure round the clock clinical surveillance on the livestock and poultry to check the ingress of infection.

He said existing staff was not sufficient to take on the job round the clock so it was being strengthened.

He said this information was given to the House Committee of Legislative Assembly on Public Accounts which met here to take stock of functioning of Animal and Sheep Husbandry Department.

Spokesman said during the year 2005, 18 Sheep and Wool Extension Centres were sanctioned and made functional and 34 offices had been established at Block level during 2006-07, besides 133 centres had been opened on internal basis in Jammu division.

Meanwhile, the PAC had constituted a three members sub-committee headed by Legislator Ashok Sharma which would conduct on the spot inspection of Milk Chilling Plant at Sodhra Rajouri constructed at a cost of Rs 15 lakh.

The sub-committee would also inspect sperm station and frozen semen banks established in twin Rajouri and Poonch district.

It also suggested deputing migratory veterinary doctors teams at certain point of routes to check the livestock as shepherds were being migrated with their cattle.

UNI