Srinagar, Feb 03: The Government of India on Monday informed the Parliament that 50 Mobile Veterinary Units (MVUs) have been made operational in Jammu and Kashmir since 2021–22 under the Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme.
In a written reply to an unstarred question in the Lok Sabha, the Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying said, “The MVUs have benefitted 31,919 farmers and provided treatment to 61,296 animals.”
“These MVUs are aimed at delivering veterinary care at the doorstep of farmers, particularly in far-flung and remote areas of the Union Territory.”
The Ministry said that the operation of MVUs is supported through a centralised call centre with toll-free number 1962, where veterinary doctors and executives assist farmers and coordinate services.
It added that monitoring of the scheme is carried out through review meetings, state visits, National Level Monitors and third-party evaluations, assessing parameters such as fund utilisation, number of farmers benefited and animals treated.
The Ministry, however, clarified that there is no current proposal to increase the number of MVUs and that integration of MVUs with other livestock development initiatives is yet to be planned, as the scheme is relatively new in several states and UTs, including Jammu and Kashmir—(KNO)
