Sheep Association smells a rat in Government Scheme

Animal Husbandry officials accused of indulging in corrupt practices

Somajiguda: The Telangana Sheep and Goat Rearers’ Association on Tuesday while expressing happiness over the State government taking up large scale distribution of sheep for the benefit of the Golla and Kuruma communities by Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, accused the Animal Husbandry department officials of resorting to corrupt practices in the implementation of the sheep scheme.

Making the allegation at a press conference here, Association general secretary Udatha Ravinder alleged that week-old sheep were being distributed to beneficiaries.

He charged that officials were holding discussions on payment of commission even before the purchase of sheep.

‘The officials are also distributing animals according to their whims and fancies’, Ravinder alleged, after purchasing sheep from neighbouring States at a low price and showing high rates to the government.

He charged the department officials of colluding with middlemen.

While demanding a comprehensive inquiry/judicial probe into the allegation, Ravinder accused officials of failing to distribute sheep feed and medical kits to 50 per cent of the beneficiaries.

He claimed that 50 of sheep given were unfit for reproduction or under-aged.
He called for action against corrupt officials lest the scheme ends in failure.