CM Punjab approves risk allowance for field staff of Livestock Department

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that livestock sector has a key role in the strengthening of economy. He said that a major segment of rural population is associated with livestock sector and development of this sector on permanent basis will not only strengthen rural economy but also create job opportunities. He said that there is a need for hard work for achieving the targets in livestock sector. He said that steps should be taken expeditiously for increasing the share of Punjab in livestock trade at international level.

He expressed these views while addressing a high level meeting, here today which reviewed the measures and recommendations for formulating policy framework for the development of livestock sector in the province.

The Chief Minister also gave approval to risk allowance for field staff of Livestock Department and recruitment against the approved vacancies of technical staff.

Speaking on the occasion, Shahbaz Sharif said that there is a lot of potential in livestock sector in the province. He said that Punjab government has taken effective measures for the development of livestock sector, however, there is a need for institutional mechanism and capacity-building of the staff for fully benefiting from existing potential in livestock sector. He said that effective measures should be taken for this purpose.

The Chief Minister appreciated the programme started by Livestock Department for protection of livestock from diseases and said that free vaccination of livestock will be continued. He said that Punjab government will provide maximum funds for this purpose.

Shahbaz Sharif lauded the performance of Livestock Department regarding implementation of vaccination programme and appreciated Secretary Livestock and his team. He said that final recommendations should be evolved with the consultation of the core group comprising livestock experts for evolving future strategy.

He said that steps should be taken in advance for protecting livestock of Cholistan from diseases. He further directed that final proposals should be submitted for utilizing unused land of Livestock Department for public welfare projects. Shehbaz Sharif said that drug regulatory authority will be set up for ensuring standard of medicines for livestock and departments concerned should present draft of the law as soon as possible.

The Chief Minister issued instructions for setting up a committee headed by Chief Secretary and said that it should present final recommendations within two weeks after reviewing the proposals and measures.

Secretary Livestock & Dairy Development gave a briefing on the performance of the department and future strategy. Deputy Speaker Punjab Assembly Sher Ali Gorchani, Member National Assembly Afzal Khokhar, Special Assistant Livestock Arshad Jatt, Assembly Members, Chief Secretary, concerned secretaries and livestock experts attended the meeting while Chairman Planning & Development participated through video link.