Hyderabad, Jan 9 (IANS): Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Saturday directed his officials to resume the first phase of the sheep distribution programme, which was earlier disrupted due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

"The programme was launched in the state to distribute sheep on 75 per cent subsidy (basis) to the beneficiaries among the Golla Kuruma community," said an official.

The programme was deferred in its last stage due to the pandemic.

According to the official, as many as 30,000 beneficiaries have already submitted the demand drafts for the scheme.

Rao has directed Animal Husbandry Minister T. Srinivas Yadav to immediately roll out the programme.

The Chief Minister has also decided to commence the second phase of the programme in the next financial year, which is just three months away.

He said funds for the programme will be allocated during the state budget in March.

The government aims to enable economic empowerment by distributing sheep to the Golla and Kuruma communities, which it implemented in its earlier term as well, resulting in Telangana recording an impressive growth rate in meat production as well as the sheep population.

From the launch of the scheme until September 2020, more than 76 lakh sheep were distributed to 3.67 lakh beneficiaries.