State achieving rapid progress in animal husbandry & skill development: Bahuguna
Saturday, 20 January 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
The Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Skill Development minister Saurabh Bahuguna said that the State government is facilitating the skill development of youth and ensuring employment for them in the country and abroad with the cooperation of the private sector. Uttarakhand is progressing at a rapid pace in the sectors of animal husbandry, pisciculture and dairy industry by facilitating self employment in these sectors through various new schemes, he said.
Addressing the media at the BJP State office here on Friday, Bahuguna said that Uttarakhand is the first State to prepare a policy for stray cattle. Learning lessons from the Covid pandemic, Uttarakhand is the first State to provide 50 per cent subsidy on dry fodder. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed concern for the lives of animals also. There are 60 ambulances operating for injured animals in Uttarakhand, the minister said. Referring to dairy, he said that the State government has raised the average purchase price of milk by Rs 8-10 per year. Digital technology is being used in milk collection also. This is one of the reasons for the record 25 per cent increase in milk collection by December-January. Bahuguna said that two large biogas plants have been established in the State and that the State government will soon start cow dung purchase.
On the subject of skill development, the minister said that the government is establishing centres of excellence with the cooperation of the private sector for enhanced skilling and placement of ITI students. The efforts have achieved positive results so far, considering which further action is being taken. The minister averred that the government is facilitating placements and job opportunities abroad for the youth. The results of these efforts are being seen with youth getting packages amounting to more than Rs one lakh in Japan and other countries.
Talking about pisciculture, he said that there has been a 22 per cent increase in fisheries in the State. The government has enabled electricity used in fishery on the lines of power used in agriculture sector, due to which the Rs six per unit rate is now Rs 2.75 per unit.
