CM Mohan Charan Majhi and Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh at the meet. (Photo | Express)
BHUBANESWAR: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday announced the government has formulated a new scheme Mukhyamantri Kamadhenu Yojana with an outlay of Rs 1,423.47 crore to boost milk production in the state.
Addressing the inaugural session of the ‘Monsoon Meet 2024’ for animal husbandry and dairy sector at the convention centre of Lok Seva Bhawan here, Majhi said under the programme, the government will assist in establishing small dairy units, subsidised calf feed, increasing coverage under livestock insurance and strengthening dairy cooperatives over a period of the next five years.
“The MoU signed with National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) in this regard will strengthen the state’s milk cooperatives and boost milk production. We are also collaborating with the NDDB to set up a vaccine production unit at Berhampur and a state-of-the-art feed analytical laboratory at Bhubaneswar,” he said.
Noting that animal husbandry and dairy sectors are vital for India’s food security, rural development, and economic growth, Majhi said the dairy sector alone contributes significantly to the national economy, with India being the world’s largest milk producer.
The chief minister said the state has also introduced a new scheme called Mukhyamantri Prani Kalyan Yojana with the objective to foster a more compassionate and responsible approach towards stray and destitute animals.
“The government is also planning to amend the Orissa Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act, 1960, and make it realistic with focus on reducing cruelty to animals,” he added.
Majhi said Odisha will complete 100 years of its formation in 2036. “Coincidently, it comes just 11 years before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047. Odisha will play a very important role in realising the dream of the prime minister,” he said.
The monsoon meet, a first-of-its-kind, organised by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying was chaired by Union minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh. Ministers of 15 states and Union Territories attended the meet.
The meet being organised for the first time in the state is expected to create a convergence framework for effective programme implementation at the ground-level and discuss outcomes and mid-course corrections.
“Today’s gathering reflects our collective commitment to advance the livestock and dairy sectors in the country, where we must harness the power of innovation and collaboration to strengthen these sectors.
This meeting would provide a forum for sharing ideas and experience, learning best practices from each other and shaping the shared vision for Viksit Bharat through collaboration and convergence,” Majhi said.
BJD government was autocratic: Rajiv Ranjan
Bhubaneswar: Union minister for Panchayati Raj, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh on Friday came down heavily on the BJD saying it ran an autocratic government in the state for the two and half decades.
The minister who chaired the ‘Monsoon Meet 2024’ for animal husbandry and dairy sector here said that the previous government’s only concern was to win elections.
The BJD government failed to implement any development work properly as it was always busy to ensure how to continue in power. Singh said the state government has changed now. The new government is working in the interest of the common people, he said and added that the Centre will extend all assistance in its endeavours for all-round development and welfare of the people.
