BTC chief Pramod Boro emphasizes livelihood through livestock in BTC

KOKRAJHAR: Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) Pramod Boro is looking forward to ensure livelihood for people in BTC region through livestock by revamping the Veterinary and Animal Husbandry sector in the council.

The CEM of BTC, Pramod Boro during his address before the officials and entrepreneurs at a workshop held in Kokrajhar Science College auditorium hall on Saturday, said the regulation and efficient management of livestock was a key determinant of the economic progress of a society as evidenced by the economic success of European countries like Denmark, where meat production is a key contributor to the economy. In the north-eastern region where 70 to 80 per cent people are non-vegetarian, there is an immediate need to enhance various forms of production for economic growth of the region, Boro said.

He announced that 20 veterinary centres across the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) would be modernized and upgraded in this financial year while calling for a complete revamping of the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary sector to facilitate socio-economic opportunities in the region. He spoke against the backdrop of the various Mission Mode Programs like Bodoland Pig Mission, Bodofa Livelihood Mission and others being implemented by the Government of BTR. He interacted with more than 200 officials of different levels of BTC calling upon them to exercise their duties by creating a balance between office and fieldwork. He mentioned that the role of a veterinary officer was not confined to the office but an equal presence on the ground. He said that the present time when peace has dawned in Bodoland after many decades of unrest, was the right time to focus on mechanization of traditional livelihood practices in order to enhance the rural economy.

The one-day workshop focused on different aspects of the state and central flagship programmes related to Animal Husbandry and Veterinary sector. National Livestock Mission (NLM) Nodal Officer of Assam Dr Utpal Bharadwaj spoke on the role of NLM in bringing about overall economic progress. He delivered presentations that highlighted about the provisions of NLM, the two prominent amongst them being livestock insurance and entrepreneurship development. He highlighted the fact that NLM is committed towards uplift of the people through means of funding budding entrepreneurs in the field of livestock intervention. He encouraged proposals for availing financial assistance from NLM as it provides 50% subsidy in capital investments unlike any other centrally sponsored schemes. A session on BTR’s performance in important Central Government programmes such as Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) & National Artificial Insemination Programme (NAIP) was taken by Dr. Manoj Goswami, Manager (Operations) of Assam Livestock Development Agency.

Executive Member of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, BTC, Rakesh Brahma gave the opening address mentioning the success of the Veterinary Department of BTC on livestock vaccination, curbs on illegal fishing among others. He appealed to the media persons to cover these campaigns to help create necessary awareness amongst the general public. Principal Secretary and CEO of BTC, Akash Deep, Executive Member of Handloom and Textiles of BTC, Dhananjoy Basumatary, and others also spoke on different issues during the workshop.

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