Rajasthan Achieves Record Livestock Insurance; State-Level Review Meeting of Animal Husbandry Department Held Under ACS Dr. Samit Sharma

Jaipur, Sept 2025: Additional Chief Secretary, Animal Husbandry, Cow Rearing and Fisheries, Dr. Samit Sharma, chaired the state-level review meeting of the Animal Husbandry Department at the Secretariat on Tuesday. He directed officials to ensure that maximum benefits of government schemes reach livestock owners and emphasized disciplined, committed, and proactive participation of departmental staff in the upcoming Rural Service Camps starting from 17 September.

During the camps, veterinary health camps will be organized for treatment and vaccination of diseased animals. Dr. Sharma instructed officials to actively promote key schemes such as the Chief Minister Mangala Pashu Bima Yojana, mobile veterinary units, call centers and chatbots, artificial insemination with sex-sorted semen, and vaccination drives. Insurance certificates under the Chief Minister Mangala Pashu Bima Yojana will also be distributed.

Praising the scheme, Dr. Sharma noted that Rajasthan is the first state in India where such a large number of animals have been insured, and congratulated the department. He directed that pending insurance must be completed by 30 September, after which the insurance drive for 2025–26 will begin from 1 October. This year, the entire insurance process will be conducted in a single phase to save time, manpower, and ensure timely benefits for livestock owners.

Reviewing the progress of sex-sorted semen technology, he termed it a “revolutionary step” in animal husbandry that would provide fourfold benefits to farmers. Expressing dissatisfaction over the low number of artificial inseminations performed so far, he ordered stricter monitoring and training for livestock inspectors, directing RLDB to organize necessary training programs.

On disease control, Dr. Sharma expressed satisfaction with vaccination progress but stressed 100% coverage within the stipulated timeframe, particularly for lumpy skin disease and FMD. He instructed isolation of infected animals, weekly vaccination targets, and mandatory data entry on the Pashudhan App.

He also reviewed availability and use of medicines and equipment in veterinary institutions, directing that surplus medicines be redistributed where required. He appreciated the progress on land allotments for new veterinary institutions—444 plots allotted so far—and asked officials to expedite remaining cases with district collectors.

On KPI-based ranking of veterinary institutions, Dr. Sharma emphasized strict monitoring and praised top-performing districts, urging others to follow their example. He warned that negligence, corruption, or indiscipline in the department would not be tolerated. He also interacted personally with veterinarians who had excelled in their duties and advised others to draw inspiration from them.

Academic discussions and constructive suggestions from district officials were also part of the review. Department Director and RLDB CEO Dr. Anand Sejra highlighted that Rural Service Camps are an excellent opportunity to publicize departmental schemes and urged all staff to work with honesty and dedication.

The meeting was attended by senior departmental officials including Dr. Anand Sejra, Dr. Suresh Meena, Dr. Praveen Sen, Dr. Vikas Sharma, Dr. Om Prakash Bunkar, and Dr. Hemant Pant, along with additional directors, joint directors, and senior veterinary officers from divisions and districts through video conferencing.