Mysuru, 19 Oct

State Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science Minister K Venkatesh stated on Saturday that his Department will soon recruit for 700 vacant D Group posts. The Minister confirmed that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who also holds the state finance portfolio, has granted the necessary financial approval for these recruitments.

This announcement comes on the heels of the launch of the sixth round of vaccination against foot and mouth disease (FMD) for the State's livestock population. Venkatesh was speaking at a technical seminar for veterinarians organized jointly by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences and the State Veterinarians Association.

In the past, 400 veterinary doctors were recruited on a contractual basis, and a notification has been issued to fill another 400 positions permanently through the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC).

While several private entities have proposed setting up veterinary colleges, the State government has opted to establish new colleges in Kokatnur, Athani taluk of Belagavi, and Puttur in Dakshina Kannada.

Director of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Dr Manjunath S Paleyagar, said State boasts 4,564 veterinary clinics, serving a population of 5 crore poultry and 3 crore livestock. The state's fifth-rank position in milk production and its proactive approach to FMD vaccination were also mentioned.

The Department planned to administer FMD vaccinations to 98 lakh cattle from 21 October throughout the state. To ensure round-the-clock services to livestock, 275 mobile veterinary clinics have been set up across the State, staffed with 275 doctors.-Salar News