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The Rajasthan government has urged the Centre to declare lumpy skin disease as a national calamity
The Rajasthan government has urged the Centre to declare lumpy skin disease as a national calamity. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday said a letter has been written in this regard to the Central Government.
Gehlot interacted with public representatives, livestock owners, gaushala operators, officers, and common people of the state through video conferencing at the Chief Minister’s residence on Sunday.
Around 34,000 livestock have died till now due to the virus in Rajasthan. “It is our responsibility to take everyone along in this hour of crisis. To deal with this disease, we have to rise above all differences. Dead animals with lumpy skin are being disposed of in a scientific manner, which will help in controlling the infection. Control rooms have also been set up in all the districts,” said Gehlot.
Rajasthan Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Minister Lalchand Kataria said that continuous monitoring is going on in all the districts of the state for effective prevention of the disease. He said that so far, eight lakh cows have been infected in the state, out of which 7.40 lakh have been treated and about 4.30 lakh animals have been vaccinated.
The disease is rampant in Ganganagar, Ajmer, Jodhpur and Nagaur districts of Rajasthan. Despite massive efforts made by the state government, the situation is still to come under control. Gehlot said that there is no shortage of medicines; the vaccine is still under trial and the goat pox vaccine is being used as an alternative.
Union Minister Purushottam Rupala, who was also present at the meeting, assured that full help will be given to the state. He added that the co-operation of animal owners is necessary for setting up nandishalas in the state. The period of grant for gaushalas has been increased from six to nine months by the government. Constant efforts are being made to promote cows and their welfare by creating a department of Gopalan in Rajasthan, said Rupala.
Gopalan Minister Pramod Jain Bhaya said, “This epidemic (lumpy skin disease) has spread in 16 states of the country. The state government is also very worried about this disease. So far, six lakh cow pox vaccines have been distributed by RCDF. Many bhamashahs and voluntary organisations have come forward following appeal of the Chief Minister to purchase of medicines and vaccines.”
Chief Secretary Usha Sharma said that Rajasthan Dairy Federation has given instructions to procure 21 lakh cow pox vaccines. The recruitment process for 200 veterinarians and 300 livestock assistants has also started on an urgent basis, Sharma added.
