BANDIPORA, JULY 26: Principal Secretary Animal/Sheep Husbandry, Fisheries and Transport, Dr. Asgar Hassan Samoon, IAS today conducted an extensive tour of district Bandipora during which he inaugurated Diagnostic Labs at Sumbal and Bandipora which are equivalent to grade I veterinary hospitals. The Disease Diagnostic Laboratories constructed at an expenditure of Rs. 60 lakh under RIDF are the fist diagnostic labs in the district sicne its creation in the year 2006.
District Development Commissioner Bandipora Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Director Animal Husbandry Kashmir, Dr M Y Chaproo, Joint Director Animal Research Dr Tahir Hussain Baigh and other members from the department as well as a good number of farmers were present on the occasion.
Samoon also inaugurated Veterinary Dispensary at Nesbal, constructed at a cost of Rs 11.60 lakh under  the centrally sponsored Establishment and Strengthening of Veterinary Hospitals and Dispensary (ESVHD) scheme.
Speaking on the occasion Dr Samoon said these  veterinary institutions will provide added diagnostic and medical facilities at door steps as till now these facilities were available only at Srinagar. Dr Samoon also inspected District Veterinary Complex at Bandipora and went around various sections including AI, Poultry Rearing Space, Vaccine Bank, Laboratory and interacted with veterinary doctors and para vets.
He also took a review meeting with the concerned Officers and got appraisal regarding achievement of Animal/ Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries department. He also issued various on-spot instruction to make the field functionaries more vibrant and responsive. He directed for construction of Farmers Training Hall and operation theater for small and large animals at Bandipora. He also directed for posting of Senior Veterinary Assistant Surgeons to Gurez and Tulial areas.
  Reviewing the sheep husbandry  sector, he was informed that sheep / goat population has reached 2.52 lakh while yearly  mutton production has gone up to 13 lakh kgs. Taking stock of Fisheries sector, the principal Secretary said that incentives for fishermen will be increased to boost the fisheries Sector  in the district.
It was also given out that the Animal Husbandry Department Bandipora has achieved target of producing 90,000 tonnes of milk annually while as yearly egg production has reached 4.48 million.
Referring to  vacancies of Veterinary Assistant Surgeons,  Mr Samoon said that all vaccant  posts of VAS and Para vets would be filled up soon through PSC and SSRB. Samoon also announced provision of pick up Van / Ambulance for critically ail animals. He also directed for establishment of small hatchery to support LIT backyard poultry development in the district.
He also called for establishment of Model Dairy / Poultry units to address the problem of unemployed youth. Later, the principal Secretary visited DC office Bandipora and got a brief regarding developmental scenario of the district from District Development Commissioner Bandipora Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary. During the visit, among others Chief Animal Husbandry Officer, Bandipora Dr Altaf Hussain Kangoo, District Sheep Husbandry Officer Bandipora Dr Basharat Kathoo and Technical Officer Dr. Aarif Mohammad Khan were accompanying the dignitary.