533 animals registered under insurance scheme in Muktsar
The Risk Management and Livestock Insurance Scheme launched under the National Livestock Mission has seen limited uptake in Muktsar district.
The scheme started by the Central Government in May offers insurance coverage of Rs 70,000 per animal. People belonging to the general category have to pay Rs 1,120 for insurance per cow or buffalo, while those belonging to SC/ST have to pay Rs 672.
Randeep Handa, Deputy Director, Dairy Department, Muktsar, said: “The scheme was started in May this year and 533 animals have been insured in the district as of now. Of these, 479 animals are owned by people belonging to the general category and 54 by the SC/ST.”
Meanwhile, Brinder Singh, owner of Lakshmi Dairy Farm in Fazilka district, whose cow has the national milking record, said: “The scheme is receiving a poor response everywhere as the insurance coverage of Rs 70,000 is low in comparison to the actual cost of the animal. The prices of feed and other input costs have doubled in last five years and the livestock owners are hardly managing to bear these expenses. They can’t even think of making any other expenses. If the government really wants to provide any help to the livestock owners, then the insurance cover must be provided without any cost.”
Meanwhile, the officials in the Dairy Department said that the 21st livestock census was underway.
