Over 9000 cattle affected by LSD, Govt to pay compensation to cattle farmers: Hek 

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 19, 2023

The state government has assured to pay compensation to cattle farmers after over 9,000 cattle have been affected by the Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) in the State. 

Replying in the Assembly on Tuesday, Minister in-charge Animal Husbandry & Veterinary AL Hek said no compensation has been provided to cattle farmers in the wake of LSD. 

However when opposition VPP legislator from Nongkrem Ardent M Basaiawmoit sought to know if the government is contemplating to provide compensation to cattle farmers, who were compelled to close down their farms due to LSD, Hek said, “Government is going to pay compensation (to cattle farmers).” 

According to him, over 9,000 cattle were affected by LSD in the State. 

Hek also informed that four veterinary hospitals and 125 dispensaries are providing medicines and vaccination to cattle against the disease.

On the other hand, the minister informed that Rs 16,20,000 compensation was provided to farmers during 2020-21 for deaths of 540 pigs due to African Swine Fever disease. 

When Basaiawmoit alleged the swine fever disease happened ever since the government started distributing piglets, which are from outside the state,  Hek said, “We are not self-sufficient State that is why we have to depend from outside the State.”