Cattle distributed among 300 widows

FAISALABAD:

As many as 300 widows in rural areas of Chiniot were provided 400 cattle heads by the Punjab Livestock Department on Friday.

A ceremony in this connection was held at the hockey stadium. Provincial assembly member Ilyas Chinioti distributed cattle heads among the widows.

Chiniot DCO Shaukat Ali Khichi, Livestock Additional Secretary Ashiq Dogar and Livestock Director Ghulam Muhammad Gill were also present.

Speaking on the occasion, the MPA said providing livestock to widows would help them sustain a livelihood. He said it would promote self-reliance.

Ashiq Dogar said that the government would distribute 18,000 cows and buffalos and 36,000 sheep and goats among widows through a draw in 15 flood-hit districts of the province.

He said the chief minister had planned permanent rehabilitation of widows and orphans of the province through a number of initiatives. He said a number of reforms had been introduced by the Livestock Department.

He said an agreement has been made between the widows and the Livestock Department under which they would not sell the cattle for at least three years. In turn, the department would provide support and medical treatment for the animal.

He said widows who had less than one acre land and had enrolled at least one of their children in school were eligible to apply.

He said these applications were scrutinised by verification committees comprising school headmasters, revenue officials and livestock officials.

He said the Livestock Department had provided 1,491 cows and 242 goats to people who lost their cattle in floods last year.

Besides, 78,000 kilograms animal feed was distributed and 460,970 animals were vaccinated during the post flood operations in Chiniot.

Livestock Director Muhammad Gill said 300 eligible applicants would be awarded 400 heifers and sheep in the first phase of the programme.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 25^th, 2015.