Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Tuesday launched a massive sheep distribution programme aimed at reviving livestock economy in the state.
Over the next two years, the state government plans to distribute 15 million sheep among 30 lakh Golla and Kuruma (Yadav) families with 75% subsidy. The scheme is estimated to cost Rs 10,000 crore to the state exchequer.
The government will distribute 20 sheep and a ram to every beneficiary from Yadav family in the state.
The Chief Minister launched his brainchild scheme at Kondapala in his Gajwel assembly constituency. On the occasion, as many as 825 beneficiaries were handed over sheep.
Sporting a turban and gongadi (black blanket) like a shepherd, the Chief Minister declared that he would make the Yadav community in the state the richest in the country.
KCR, as the chief minister is popularly known, said every day nearly 250 trucks loads of sheep arrive at the Hyderabad market from all over the country. He said this was shameful for a state which has 30 lakh Golla and Kuruma people in the state.
"We are confident about creating an economy of Rs 25,000 crore in the state within three years," he said while asking the beneficiaries to take care of their sheep by following the government's guidelines.
KCR was confident that this would transform Telangana into a meat-exporting state.
Telangana is procuring the sheep from other states for this massive scheme. Grass for the livestock will be planted on 46 lakh acres of land while 100 mobile veterinary clinics will be set up.
The government will constitute committees comprising members of Yadav community to distribute the sheep.
On the first day, 1500 units, each unit comprising 20 sheep and a ram, were distributed to beneficiaries across the state by ministers and other public representatives.
A sheep unit comprising 20 sheep and one ram, costs around Rs 1.25 lakh each.
While the subsidy component is Rs 93,750, including Rs 15,000 for transport and insurance of the animals, the beneficiary's share is only Rs 31,250.