KCR-The
Good Shepherd
Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao
On Tuesday, June 20, 2017, wearing a Gongadi (Blanket generally worn by Yadavas the shepherds), a
crimson-red turban and playing the oggodolu,
like a traditional shepherd, Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao has formally
launched the first ever, innovative sheep distribution scheme on a massive
scale aiming to make Yadavs and Kurumas in the state richer by Rs 25,000 Crore
in the next three years. The scheme is expected to transform livestock economy
and allied traditional occupations in the state, thereby making the Yadavs in
the state, the richest in the country.
"It is shameful that despite
the presence of a population of 30 lakh Golla and Kuruma people, Telangana
sources about 650 lorries of sheep from different parts of the country
including Rajasthan," declared KCR. "We are now confident about
creating an economy of Rs 25,000 crore in the state within three years. But, we
want them to follow the government's guidelines and take care of their sheep
distributed today."
The plan is to give 20 sheep and a
ram to every Yadav and Golla Kuruma family in the state. It would mean
distributing 15 million sheep in two years for Rs 10,000 crore to bring every
Golla - Kuruma community under the scheme. Not only is the stock being sourced
from other states, but also grass is being planted on 46 lakh acres of land to
ensure enough fodder and 100 mobile veterinary clinics are set up. A toll-free
number -1962 for the shepherds was also inaugurated on the occasion by KCR
while distributing the sheep to 825 beneficiaries in his Gajwel Assembly
constituency.
Speaking on the occasion, the CM declared that the sheep
distribution programme is being held in 100 Legislative Constituencies on a
single day. “It is decided to distribute Sheep to 4 Lakh families, but the
government has received 7.61 Lakh application out of which 7.18 Lakh are
sanctioned. 1.5 lakh Sheep are distributed. There is an estimate that the State
has 1 Crore sheep and 1.5 Crore Sheep would be distributed in the next two
years. It makes the Sheep population at 2.5 Crore. In two years each sheep will
give 3 Lambs and this will raise their population to 7.5 Crore. If the rearers
keep 2.5 Crore Sheep for breeding and sell the rest 5 Crore at the rate of Rs
5,000 per Sheep, it will be Rs 25,000 Crore wealth. This is a new and
innovative way of understanding the human resource,” the CM said.
Ever since he took over the reigns of the new State, KCR, a true visionary,
has aimed at strengthening the rural economy. As part of that exercise, he hit
upon a strategy to strengthen the hereditary professions in the rural areas
economically and to sustain them. The CM has realised the potential in Sheep
rearing and the ever-growing demand for the meat. Yadavas, Kurumas have an
expertise in Sheep breeding and rearing from generations together. By giving
them a helping hand, the government is planning to develop the Sheep rearing in
a big way. With this initiative, the state can have adequate meat required for
its own consumption and can export to other States and countries.
Transparent and simple guidelines for the Sheep rearing have been put
in place and adhered to.
· Every
person who is above 18 years of age from Yadava and Kuruma families are made
members of the Society. More than one person per family can also become the
members. If need be more new societies are also formed. Sheep units are given to
every member of the Society. Those who have already in the possession of Sheep
will also get Sheep units. Even if somebody is having a job in the family, his
father and brother can become members and get the Sheep unit.
· Every
Unit will have 20 Sheep and one Ram. Each unit's expenditure will be Rs 1.25
Lakh. Of this, the beneficiary bears 25 per cent (Rs 31, 250); the government
gives rest of 75 per cent (Rs 93,750) as Subsidy. This scheme is being
implemented without involvement of the banks. There is no dearth of funds for
the Sheep Rearing. The government has decided to raise Rs 4,000 Crore from
NCDS.
· Units
will be sanctioned for half of them in the first year; the rest will be in the
next year. For the sanction of Units in the first year, to eliminate any
political and other influences, Units will be sanctioned by draw of lots. If in
a village there are 60 society members, lottery will be held before 30 members
in the first phase.
· At
the State level, Meat and Poultry Development Corporation will coordinate the
scheme. In the districts, Animal Husbandry officials under the supervision of
the Collector will coordinate the scheme. MRO, MDO and Government Veterinary
Doctor’s Committee will implement the scheme. A weeklong program was conducted
to enroll members into the Societies. Officials personally went to the villages
and enrolled the members and recorded the number of Sheep available there.
· Sheep
are purchased from the neighbouring States only and not from the Telangana
State. The government is very keen on this. Officials visited the neighboring
states and purchased the Sheep and Ram. The state government bears the
Insurance and transportation charges. Every Sheep will be insured. Insurance
cover will be given not only to the new Sheep but also to the old ones, which
are in the possession of the Yadav and Kuruma communities in the State.
· There
is no ban for the Sheep to graze in the forests. The state government has
already given instruction to forest officers to allow Sheep and Ram to graze in
the forestlands. There is 67.50 Lakh acres of forestland in the State. About
25-lakh acre of lands is full of hillocks, rocky area which is not suitable for
agriculture. Yadavas have about 15 lakh acres of land under their possession.
In all about one Crore acres of land is available for the Sheep to graze. Stylo
Grass variety will be grown on these lands for the Sheep to have a healthy
food. In the Mango and other Orchids if the Sheep can graze, it will be
beneficial for the Sheep rearers as well as the farmers. The Orchid land will
become fertile with the organic fertilizer of the Sheep.
· The
Sheep will be tested at the time of their purchase. Sheep will be given
vaccines on a regular basis. Medical health will come to the doorstep of the
units. One Mobile Vet Clinic will be provided in all the Rural Assembly
Constituencies. Veterinary health system will be strengthened at the Mandal
level. Already 309 Veterinary doctors are appointed in addition to the existing
881. Supportive staff will also be
appointed. Veterinary health will be improved in the State in the next two
years as there will be crores of Sheep in the State
·
Measures will be taken for
marketing of the Sheep. A Shandy will be held for two or three Mandals.
In the Biblical terms, Lord Jesus
has always been compared (He Himself has compared) to that of a Good Shepherd
who protects and keeps his flock. In modern day times in the Telangana state,
KCR is compared as a Good Shepherd by the Yadavas and Kurumas for coming to
their rescue which no other government ever did and making them prosper like no
one ever did. END
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