Bihar villages to have animal, relief shelters

In A major move, which will benefit the rural people in the state of Bihar, state Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced setting up of a relief as well as an animal shelter in each village at the cost of Rs 52 lakh. The chief minister said that one billion rupees have been allocated for construction of these sheds.

These sheds will be put under the control of village panchayat and they will serve the village community in lieu of some money, which will be used for upkeep of these shelters.

Speaking at the national seminar on disaster management for the protection of livestock at Veterinary College, Patna, Nitish said that this plan has been approved by the cabinet and soon the tenders will be floated for this purpose.

The chief minister said that 28 districts of Bihar are flood affected as such it is imperative for the Union government to announce relief for the people of Bihar.

He exhorted Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to declare the Kosi floods as national disaster.

Kumar said that the government had learnt a number of lessons during the Kosi floods. The government machinery has realised that in addition to measures taken for human beings, effective steps have to be taken up for welfare and rescue of livestock.

The proposed shelters, he said, are being built keeping this finding in mind and these will help the people during floods.

The government has also invited public private partnership to construct these shelters, he informed. He asked the Vice Chancellor Dr ML Choudhary to make a road map for the protection of livestock with the help of disaster experts.

During the programme, Philip Russel, director of the World Society for the protection of animals promised to help the university in helping them to learn various aspects of disaster management.

Dr Chowdhury, vice chancellor appreciated Bihar government's commitment to the agricultural sector. Animal Husbandry minister Ramanarayan Mandal was present on the occasion and said that the board is now ready to deal with any calamity. Renu Kumari, Minister of Agriculture said agriculture road map is also ready to be implemented.

Dr JN Singh, dean of Rajendra Agriculture University expressed gratitude towards the guests.link