FMD claims 33 head of cattle in Dharwad

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) in the district has claimed 33 head of cattle so far, officials of the Department of Animal Husbandry said at a review meeting of Karnataka Development Programmes (KDP) held here on Friday.

They told zilla panchayat Chief Executive Officer P.A. Meghannavar that the disease had wreaked havoc in the entire State. Dharwad’s cattle population is 3.72 lakh. The department has begun a vaccination drive on war-footing to prevent the disease from spreading. Cattle-rearing farmers have been briefed on precautions to be taken to save their herds. Farmers who lost heads of cattle were provided compensation of Rs. 25,000 each, officials said.

Health

Officials of the Department of Health and Family Welfare said precautionary measures were taken in the district to prevent the spread of epidemics. There are no major health problems in the district. All health centres have been provided vaccines and necessary medicines, the officials said.

Survey

Department of Public Instructions officials told the meeting that the department would shortly launch a survey to identify children in the age group of 6 to 15 years who were still out of school. As many as 1,330 Education Department staff would be engaged for a survey to be held from November 13 to 17. Milk distribution under the Ksheera Bhagya is proceeding smoothly, officials added.

Water supply

Mr. Meghannavar said the district had not sanctioned the Multi-Village Drinking Water Supply Scheme.

Hence, officials should focus on early and timely completion of the drinking water supply schemes which were under progress. The supply of drinking water from borewells in the rural areas should be streamlined. The dried up borewells should be recharged and power supply should be provided without delay to pumpsets attached to borewells to avoid future problems, he said.

Deputy Director of Handlooms and Textiles H.S. Somanagouda was felicitated for designing a tableau which won second prize in Mysore Dasara.

Zilla panchayat president Shankarappa Agadi chaired the meeting. Panchayat vice-president Fakkirappa Jakkannavar was present.