Shepherds warned against selling sheep units

Jagtial: District Collector Dr A Sharath here on Monday warned the shepherds not to sell sheep that were distributed under ‘Sheep Rearing Scheme’ and said that double penalty will be recovered from them along with lodging criminal cases on the shepherd, who sell the sheep.

An awareness programme was organised for the shepherds along with the officials of police, marketing and transport departments at a private function hall in Jagtial on Monday.

Speaking on the occasion, the Collector said that with good intention, the government had introduced the Sheep Rearing Scheme for the shepherd community present in the State for their development, giving 75 per cent of subsidy for each sheep unit.

By selecting about 10,550 beneficiaries transparently through lottery system, nearly 7,400 sheep units were distributed in the first phase. They must utilise the units in a proper way by protecting the sheep to develop economically. Mobile veterinary vehicle will be introduced soon, which will render its services.

The government is investing Rs 30 lakhs for purchasing medicines required for the cattle along with providing insurance to the sheep. If any sheep dies accidentally or due to ill health, that will be replaced by another sheep, assured the Collector.

District Superintendent of Police B Ananth Sharma said that the government had introduced the scheme for the wellbeing of the shepherd community, which must be utilised in a proper way. One police official will be deployed in each village to keep a vigil on the shepherds, who try to sell the sheep units, he warned.

District Veterinary Officer Dr Ashok, Additional Director of Marketing Department Prakash, Jagtial Divisional Superintendent of Police Karunakar and the representatives of shepherd community Venkataswamy Yadav, Mallesh Yadav and Mallana Yadav were present along with others.