Murghi Paal scheme restored

Around 25,000 sets of chickens will be distributed in Pindi next week

RAWALPINDI:

The Punjab government has formally restored former prime minister Imran Khan’s “Murghi Pal” scheme.

Soon after the dissolution of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government, the Rawalpindi livestock department had put a halt to Murghi Paal and Katta Farba and Katta Paal schemes in the Rawalpindi division. However, on the high public demand, the federal government led by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz had revived the schemes in June.

The government had reduced subsidies by 50% on each of these schemes. Additionally, approval has been given to increase the price rate for chicken sets after the Punjab government revived the Murghi Paal scheme.

The per unit price of chicken has been increased for the second time due to high inflation and an increase in raw material prices.

Sources said that 25,000 chicken units will be distributed between August 21 and August 23. Earlier, a set of five chickens and a rooster as well as free desi eggs and desi chicken for meat were provided at a subsidised price of Rs1,050. A desi rooster for meat and a set of six chickens was also provided for Rs1,050. Its price was increased to Rs1140 per unit in 2021. This set will now be available for Rs1,180 at the start of the new year.

Sources said that after the PTI government was restored in Punjab, 35,000 chickens were distributed among consumers in the last 15 days.

Department of Livestock and Poultry Research Institute Director Dr Syed Kamal Nasir said that “this is a great project and we are running this ourselves. All chickens are produced at our own breeding centres which are very healthy. Each chicken weighs 900 grams. These are good desi breed chickens that we produce”.

He said that these chickens are not given any market food and they only eat kitchen waste of the house which includes tea leaves extra waste of vegetables, pieces of dry bread, chopped waste of fruits, rice, and food. These high-breed native chickens give 250 to 260 eggs a year.

Along with this set, a set of six chickens is also given for Rs1180 for meat. “We have a crowd of citizens to get these chickens, we add names in the lottery. We will provide 0.5 million chickens this year. These sets of chickens will be provided to the citizens every month. A set of medicines is also given when providing the set. We also provide regular training to citizens and women who acquire chickens so that they can keep chickens in their homes per the best hygiene standards,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 12^th, 2022.