Govt Fund For Goshalas Raised To Rs 10 Crore To Look After Sick Cattle, Says Odisha Minister

Bhubaneswar: Odisha government has allocated Ra 10 crore to registered Goshalas in the state for 2023-24 financial year, said Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain on Sunday.

Speaking at a meeting on Goshalas and animal helpline number in Bhubaneswar, the minister said the government had sanctioned total Rs 5 crore to 52 registered Goshalas to take care of old and sick cattle at the rate of Rs 16,000 per each head in 2022-23 financial year.

While the number of Goshalas in the state has increased to 80, the government has increased the fund allocation to Rs 10 crore in 2023-24. Now each Goshala is paid Rs 20,000 to look after each cattle. Besides, the government has been paying Rs 20-52 lakh as financial assistance for setting up a Goshala accommodating 50 to 150 cattle, he added.

On the helpline number, the minister said the government has opened toll-free number 1962 to solve various issues regarding livestock. Farmers and general public can get immediate help from veterinary experts by calling this number for stray, helpless and sick cattle.

Animal ambulance service is extended to 11 urban areas in the state while mobile veterinary unit is extending the service in other areas, Swain said.

Representatives of Goshala management committees, NGOs, animal helpline, veterinarians and senior officials of the F&ARD department were present at the meeting.