Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Jul 1: Speaking at a press conference after visiting Dakshina Kannada Milk Union(DKMU) here on Monday June 30, district in charge minister Krishna J Palemar said that the government will encourage dairy activity in the district. The government will be asked to provide pasture lands for the milk unions. Increase in dairying activity will boost development of the district, he opined.

DKMU was also advised by the minister to take up the task of developing local breeds of cows and selling local breed milk separately. Stating that he is aware of the staff shortage in veterinary and government hospitals in the district, the minister promised to do his best to overcome this problem, as development will get staggered due to paucity of staff.

DKMU president Kaup Diwakar Shetty submitted a memorandum to the minister, asking for grants to the tune of Rs 1.96 crore in the state budget for the DKMU for augmenting its water sources, developing underground drainage for waste disposal and to acquire a new 500 kv generator.

On the chikungunya menace, the minister flayed rumours of death due to chikungunya. He informed, that a six member committee has been constituted to conduct a survey on chikungunya in the district. He assured, that all the families, the members of which contracted chikungunya, will get 10 kgs of rice each. Even families not having BPL ration cards can avail of this facility by obtaining a certificate from the revenue officer on their financial standing, the minister clarified.