Staff Reporter

Shillong, Sept 19: The state government has assured to pay compensation to cattle farmers after over 9,000 cattle have been affected by the Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) in the State.

Replying in the Assembly today, Minister in-charge Animal Husbandry & Veterinary AL Hek said no compensation has been provided to cattle farmers in the wake of LSD.

However, when opposition VPP legislator from Nongkrem Ardent M Basaiawmoit sought to know if the government is contemplating providing compensation to cattle farmers, who were compelled to close down their farms due to LSD, Hek said, “Government is going to pay compensation (to cattle farmers).”

He said that over 9,000 cattle were affected by LSD in the State.

Hek also informed that four veterinary hospitals and 125 dispensaries are providing medicines and vaccination to cattle against the disease.

On the other hand, the minister informed that Rs 16,20,000 compensation was provided to farmers during 2020-21 for the deaths of 540 pigs due to African Swine Fever disease.

When Basaiawmoit alleged the swine fever disease happened ever since the government started distributing piglets, which are from outside the state,  Hek said, “We are not a self-sufficient State that is why we have to depend from outside the State.”

Minister in charge of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Alexander Laloo Hek today said the government will soon set up the first-ever full-fledged veterinary hospital in Shillong.

“A detailed project report is being prepared for the setting up of the veterinary hospital at an estimated cost of Rs 94 crore,” Hek told reporters.

He said the site for the project will be at Upper Shillong and the proposal will be submitted to the Centre for sanctioning of funds.

Meghalaya is yet to have its own full-fledged veterinary hospital despite completing 50 years of statehood.

Hek said that the state is presently equipped with only veterinary dispensaries under the Directorate of Veterinary in East Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills and Garo Hills.

“Therefore, it is high time that we get a full-fledged veterinary hospital which will be a great blessing for the people of the state,” he added.

When asked, Hek said that the DPR will be completed by next month while adding that “we will immediately seek financial support from the Centre in order to speed up the setting up of this very important hospital in the state.”

Further, the minister informed that at present the state has over 17 veterinary mobile units which are functioning on a trial basis.

Stating that the state has over 264 veterinary doctors, Hek said, “Once the state has its own dedicated veterinary hospital, the department will find out ways and means to accommodate new doctors, veterinary assistants and other staff.”

The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) recovered the body of the last victim of the landslide tragedy at Ryngngain in East Khasi Hills District on Sunday.

The body identified as that of late Krejunlang Khongjirem was trapped under the rubble of rocks and soil following the landslip incident which occurred last Friday.

The SDRF were pressed into action following a call from District police on Friday evening about the landslip incident at Ryngngain. On reaching the spot they were informed that 9 occupants who were sitting in the passenger vehicle had sustained minor injuries and were taken to Pynursla PHC.

However, another vehicle with 2 (two) occupants inside was knocked down off the road and had fallen into a deep gorge.

SDRF personnel were first able to recover the body of late Seiborlang Jaktung, the driver of the vehicle, in the afternoon of 15 April 2023 and with the help of local villagers they were able to bring back the body at around 2100 Hrs approximately and handed over the body to the police.

Two teams of SDRF personnel were deployed for the recovery operation at Ryngngain East Khasi Hills from the force headquarters at Mawdiangdiang.

The SDRF personnel worked in close cooperation with the local residents at Ryngngain to recover the bodies of the occupants of the second vehicle.

The recovery operation of the SDRF ended with the recovery of the second victim on Sunday.