The Zilla Panchayat has resolved to close down those fodder banks that are not functioning satisfactorily and set up goshalas (cow sheds) to take care of the cattle till the end of the ensuing summer.
At a Karnataka Development Programme (KDP) review meeting here on Wednesday, chairman of Standing Committee (Social Justice) Beerihundi Basanna and chairman of Standing Committee (Agriculture and Industries) Dayananda Murthy alleged that fodder banks were not functioning properly and there were instances of fodder banks even not having fodder.
They demanded that goshalas be set up across the district and steps be taken to take complete care of the cattle, including their health.
ZO CEO Shivashankar also endorsed the views expressed by the two. The CEO said that he had also received a number of complaints about unavailability of fodder in several fodder banks.
He directed the Deputy Director of the Animal Husbandry Department to set up goshals and ensure sufficient fodder and water to the animals there. He also asked the official to depute veterinary doctors to take care of the animals that may fall sick during its stay in the goshalas for over 90 days.
The CEO further said that this was the first time that the district was facing severe drought. He directed the Karnataka Rural Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Department to expedite the process of rejuvenating the borewells and laying of pipelines to provide potable water in all the villages in the next 90 days.
ZP president Nayeema Sultana presided over the meeting.
