Pashu Mitra to take care of livestock at doorsteps
One thousand youth will be trained and appointed as Pashu Mitra’s
To strengthen the participation of locals in Animal Husbandry sector and to improve Veterinary healthcare and breed improvement services delivery in the State, the State Government launched Pashu Mitra Policy-2025 wherein initially 1,000 young locals will be trained and appointed as Pashu Mitra’s in rural belts of the State.
The idea is to address instant health needs of the cattle and other domestic animals stated a spokesperson of the Animal Husbandry department further adding that this has been possible due to the farsightedness of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.
He said that in areas where veterinary services were far away from villages, the Pashu Mitra’s will be a friendly connector between the veterinarian and the farmer and will be present every time to extend their help whenever required.
He said that the community driven animal husbandry practices was not new. It has been a practice since ages that the communities and Government agencies share responsibility of welfare and Management of Livestock resources. The engagement of ‘Pashu Mitra’, a person from amongst the local community would address this need and ensure better participation of communities in management of livestock and at the same time provide local livelihood opportunities and open avenues for employment. The Pashu Mitra once engaged in a Veterinary Institution would remain only at their place of engagement and their engagement will be non transferable. The selected incumbent will be paid honorarium at the rate of Rs. 5000 per month for working just 4 hours a day.
He said that the ‘Pashu Mitra’ would be associated with the activities of animal husbandry department, which would help in creation of awareness about the sector and critical localized issues like man-animal conflicts and Stray cattle etc. The eligibility criteria for engagement of Pashu Mitra includes resident of Gram Panchayat, Urban Local Body falling in the Jurisdiction of concerned Veterinary Institution.
‘Pashu Mitra’ will be required to perform various duties at Veterinary Institutions and Livestock Farms. These duties inter-alia include lifting of Liquid Nitrogen Containers filled with Liquid Nitrogen Gas having weight capacity of 11 liters, 26 liters and 35 liters and are required to handle, cast, secure large animals like cows, buffaloes, horses, mules etc.
Under the ‘Pregnancy Ration Scheme’ their duties also include to carry cattle feed bags for distribution to the beneficiaries. Accordingly they will have to undergo physical test wherein they have to complete 100 meters within one minute carrying up to 25 Kgs of weight.
The spokesperson stated that a Pashu Mitra Engagement Committee (PMEC) comprising of concerned Sub-Divisional Officer, or his nominee as Chairman, concerned senior vet officer as member secretary and concerned veterinary officer as Member. They will visit homes, inspect animals, provide first aid, give vaccinations, and even teach farmers how to maintain animal health right at their doorsteps.
Monthly attendance report of Pashu Mitra will be submitted by in-charge of veterinary institution where he is engaged, by 5th of every month. The Pashu Mitra will be entitled to one day leave after putting in one month service with a total leave admissibility of maximum 12 days in a year. Apart from this they will be entitled to Gazetted Holidays including holidays on Sunday.
He said that the Female workers with less than two surviving children will also be entitled for 180 days maternity leave and 45 days maternity leave in case of miscarriage including abortion (irrespective of number of surviving Children).
The Policy not only ensures employment opportunities but it also reflects the love, care and kindness, for the livestock besides ensuring community participation, stated, he.
