February 27th 2025.
Bhubaneswar: In a move that shows their commitment to the well-being of livestock, the Odisha government has announced that they will be providing free treatment and vaccination for animals starting from March 1. According to the Minister of Fisheries and Animal Resources Development, Gokulananda Mallik, this decision was made as a response to the requests of the people of the state.
In an effort to prioritize the health of animals like cattle, goats, and sheep, the government has waived all fees for their treatment and vaccination. This means that the people of Odisha will now have access to free veterinary care starting from March 1. In a post on social media platform X, Mallik shared his thoughts on the decision, stating that he believes it will greatly benefit farmers and others who rely on livestock for their livelihood.
Meanwhile, the Odisha Milk Farmers' Association, a group representing dairy farmers, has put forth a new demand. They are asking for a universal health insurance scheme for livestock, similar to the central government's Ayushman Bharat scheme and the state's Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana. The association's president, Rabi Behera, wrote a letter to Minister Mallik, explaining that livestock is a vital source of income for farmers and requesting that their health be protected through a health insurance scheme.
Behera emphasized that the new BJP government has been actively promoting cattle farming and providing subsidies and initiatives to support it. However, he also pointed out that in the past, there have been instances where livestock became ill but their owners were unable to afford proper treatment. This is why the association is pushing for a universal health insurance scheme, similar to the one provided for humans through the Ayushman Bharat scheme. They hope that this will ensure that the animals are given timely and quality treatment, ultimately benefiting both the farmers and the livestock.
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