Bengaluru: The state budget presented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday proposes to allocate Rs 2245 crore for animal husbandry department in the year 2017-18.

With an objective of extending the expert and improved veterinary services to all the villages of the State, the budget proposes to upgrade 1,512 Primary Veterinary Centers to Veterinary Dispensaries in a phased manner and 302 such centres would be upgraded during the year. “I feel proud that with this, the State has taken the first step towards having Veterinary Centres with graduate veterinary doctors in the country. Certified Elite Breed Ram Producing Units will be established in the State for the development of 10,000 elite lambs by selecting ‘True to the breed’ lambs of three months’ age and providing good quality feed for 12 months,’’ the chief minister said.

The budget proposes to establish a modern abattoir in each revenue division at unit cost of Rs.7.25 crore through Karnataka Sheep and Goat Breeding Co-operative Federation. Construction of two abattoirs will be taken up during the year. “To provide clean and hygienic meat to public, existing meat stalls will be modernized at unit cost of Rs.5 lakh. A subsidy of Rs.1.25 lakh per stall will be provided for this purpose,’’ the chief minister said.

It also proposes to construct 40 godowns for storage of wool and hide over 2 years for the use of registered Sheep Co-operative Societies of the State at a cost of Rs.10 lakh with Rs.7.5 lakh subsidy and remaining Rs.2.5 lakh as contribution by the societies. “To make efficient use of wool procured in the State, 4 Wool Processing Units will be established to carry-out scientific processing and production of value added products, at a cost of Rs.2.45 crore each over 3 years,’’ he said.

It is proposed to make the State self-reliant in Foot-and-Mouth (F&M) vaccine production by establishing a Vaccine Production Unit at a total cost of Rs.100 crore over a period of three years. “It is proposed to establish 3 diploma colleges in Koravengala in Hassan district, Baragi in Chamarajanagar district and Yadgir at an estimated cost of Rs.7.5 crore. Compensation of Rs. 10,000 will be provided to farmers to mitigate the distress caused due to the death of uninsured bullock /cow. Compensation of Rs. 2,500 will be provided for the death of sheep/goat less than 6 months old and Rs. 5,000 for more than 6 months old,’’ he said.

Rs 337 crore for fisheries

The budget proposes to extend jetty to an extent of 75 meters at an estimated cost of Rs 5 crore to handle congestion due to increase in number of boats at Malpe and Mangalore fishing harbours.

Under “Matsya Krishi Asha Kirana” scheme, to increase fish production and to encourage fish culture in an area of 2,500 hectare in major tanks across the state, the budget proposes to give 50% of the unit cost up to a maximum of Rs.27,000 as subsidy to purchase 4,000 fingerlings per hectare and 2 tonnes of artificial feed. “For this purpose Rs.6.75 crore will be provided,” the chief minister said.

Farmers holding land with adequate water resource will be encouraged to construct a pond to take-up intensive fish culture. At a unit cost of Rs.8.5 lakh for construction of fish pond including capital expenditure, 50% subsidy subject to a maximum of Rs.4.25 lakh will be provided to promote fisheries. “It is proposed to assist fishermen co-operative societies in construction of Fish Collection and Marketing Building of a minimum size of 500 sq feet, on their own site with water, electricity and other facilities by providing 75% subsidy at an estimated unit cost of Rs.10 lakh. Initially construction of 20 buildings will be taken up,’’ the chief minister said.

In order to assist 200 ice plants and 35 cold storages in 3 coastal districts, the budget proposes to increase the subsidy on electricity to Rs.1.75 per unit from the existing Rs.1.5 per unit and the ceiling to Rs.3.5 lakh from the existing 3 lakh per plant per year. “Rs. 6 crore will be provided for this purpose,’’ he said.

Rs 3636 crore for food and civil supplies

The budget proposes to increase food grains being distributed under Annabhagya scheme from 5 kg to 7 kg per person. “20 lakh poor families have already been brought under Annabhagya scheme through Public Distribution System. By simplifying the eligibility criteria, new ration cards will be delivered at the doorstep of applicants within 15 days through speed post by bringing distribution of ration cards under Sakala Scheme Free food grains will be distributed to welfare institutes like nariniketans, old age homes, schools for blinds, hostels for poor students, Beggars Rehabilitation Centres, etc. on Annabhagya model,’’ the chief minister said.

With a view to provide free gas connection to all the LPG-less poor families in the State and to make our State a PDS kerosene free State, “Anila Bhagya Scheme’’ will be implemented, with the incentive amount received from the Central Government.”An incentive of Rs.1,600 per beneficiary will be given for free gas connection to about 5 lakh eligible poor families which have not qualified under Central Ujjvala scheme. Option will be given to ration card holders in rural areas with gas connection to choose either kerosene or free re-chargeable LED sets,’’ he said.

The state budget presented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday in the Assembly proposed a grant of Rs. 200 crore for implementation of “Krishi Bhagya” scheme under Horticulture Department for the first time. For expansion of horticultural area by 20,000 acres, 40 lakhs of planting materials including Tissue Culture plants will be provided to 20,000 farmers, for which Rs.5 crore will be provided.

The Horticulture Department has 418 farms over 16,000 acres, which need to be improved. “Our government will take up development of 100 model farms in next 5 years and for this purpose a budget of Rs.10 crore will be earmarked. It is proposed to start “Cashew Development Board” for developing 10,000 hectares of good quality of cashew orchards over next 5 years in the State to benefit more than 10,000 farmers. For this Rs.10 crore will be provided. It is proposed to take up rejuvenation of coconut plantations and enhance productivity in an area of 10,000 hectares, which will benefit 10,000 farmers. For this purpose, Rs.10 crore has been earmarked,’’ the chief minister said.

He said the government proposes to take up rejuvenation of 5,000 hectares of Mango orchards benefiting around 5,000 mango growers in increasing productivity. “For this purpose Rs.10 crore is provided. For production of high quality mangoes, initiatives are proposed to encourage mango growers to adopt Global GAP (Good Agricultural Practices). Certification and to provide scientific ripening facilities in 100 APMC markets across the State, for which Rs.10 crore will be provided,’’ he said.

The budget proposes assistance for providing post-harvest and marketing facility to spice growers, especially that of dry chilly, pepper and turmeric etc., through the Spice Development Board set up by them. This will benefit 7000 farmers and Rs.3 crore will be provided. To support coconut growers, ‘Neera Policy’ has been approved. “The Excise Act, has been amended to implement it. Licenses will be issued to select Coconut Producer Companies and Farmer Producer Companies to make ‘Neera’ as a nourishing drink and its processing for other uses. They will be supported for creating marketing and other facilities. For this Rs.3 crore is provided,’’ he said.

The budget also proposes to renovate Indira Gandhi Musical Fountain in Bengaluru using new technology and rain-proof shelter for visitors.
It also proposes drip irrigation facility will be provided to 35,000 farmers with 90% subsidy, at a cost of Rs.233 crore. “To mitigate water scarcity to crops due to severe drought for the last 3 years, 50% subsidy (maximum of Rs.50,000) will be provided to 10 farmers per taluka to purchase water tankers. In 2017-18, a total provision of Rs 1091 Crore is made to Horticulture Department,’’ he said.

Rs 429 crore for sericulture

The budget proposes to establish Silkworm Egg/Chawki Quality Control Authority to ensure the quality control in seed production and chawki rearing and for the comprehensive development of silk industry.

“Our Government proposes to provide financial assistance to train the rural diploma holders for a period of one month in post cocoon activities specially to develop skills in reeling activities under entrepreneurs development programme conducted by the Central Silk Board,’’ the chief minister said.

The budget proposes to establish Sericulture Training Institute in Hassan district to impart training to the farmers and the departmental employees on the recent technologies and new innovations in the sector. “A grant of Rs.5 crore will be provided to Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation (KSIC) to establish Second Composite Weaving Factory in the premises of Mysore Silk Weaving Factory, at an estimated cost of Rs.24 crore. During 2017-18, a total grant of Rs.429 crore is provided for Sericulture department,’’ he said.