New Delhi, Nov 23 (Agency) In a bid to boost up the livestock farmers of Arunachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Tuesday flagged off 30 Mobile Veterinary Units (MVUs) in presence of Animal Husbandry, Veterinary and Dairy Development Minister Tage Taki and other dignitaries. These MVUs, which are to be stationed across the State to cater to the needs of livestock health and treatment, are custom fabricated vehicles for veterinary health care with equipment for diagnosis, treatment and minor surgeries, an official release said. Under the Central Government’s initiative ‘Livestock Health and Disease Control Scheme’, the State Government procured 12 Force Traveller ambulances and 18 Mahindra Bolero customized vehicles to provide veterinary services to farmers at their doorstep on phone calls received at the designated call centres. Arunachal Pradesh was granted Rs 4 crore under the 100% centrally sponsored scheme which was utilized for procurement of Traveller Ambulances at Rs 16 lakh each and Mahindra Bolero customised vehicles at Rs 11.55 lakh each including taxes and levies, it said.
Flagging off the MVUs from the State Civil Secretariat here, Khandu said livestock farmers would immensely benefit from the service as they would be able to avail veterinary services at their doorstep on call. “Besides taking care of existing farmers who depend upon their livestock, the service will also encourage more farmers to take livestock farming in a big way,” he said. Khandu advised the district veterinary offices, which will be taking over the MVUs, to keep the vehicles well-maintained and make its services available to the livestock farmers without any hurdle. He expressed optimism that with the launch of these vehicles, the mobility for the field veterinarian will be smooth and the farmers will gain the benefit of doorstep treatment for their livestock. Official sources informed that a toll-free number 1962 will be soon operational for the purpose.