Revanth Reddy orders probe into BRS govt's sheep and fishing distribution programs

Hyderabad: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has ordered a probe into the previous BRS government's sheep and fishing distribution programs.

Revanth Reddy stated that since the beginning of these programs, every facet of the distribution and acquisition of sheep, as well as the beneficiary selection process, should be thoroughly examined. He directed the officials to promptly provide the preliminary report from the vigilance to the ACB if any corruption or irregularities were found.

Speaking at a review meeting with the Animal Husbandry department held at Dr BR Ambedkar Telangana Secretariat here, the chief minister referred to the ACB's investigation into a recent case in which certain employees used benami names to transfer funds related to sheep distribution into their accounts. He cited irregularities in the scheme and the CAG report that exposed widespread corruption in the scheme's implementation.

Chief Minister also questioned the officials about why the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) stopped the second loan installment. Under the Sheep distribution scheme, the Corporation provided the first installment of Rs 3,955 crore loan. Revanth Reddy was informed that the CAG had already brought up several concerns regarding the plan and found anomalies, and NCDC had declined the loan for several reasons.

The chief minister also questioned why the sheep were not distributed to the beneficiaries who had already paid 25 percent of their share. In the second tranche, as many as 85,488 people have already paid 25 percent money under their share, about Rs 430 crores are in the accounts of the district collectors, the officials said.

Another 2,20,792 beneficiaries said they have not yet paid the money. The chief minister said many complaints are being received regarding fish farming. Orders have been issued for a comprehensive inquiry into the matter.

Officials have brought to the chief minister's attention that the incentive of Rs 4 per liter given to dairy farmers by the government had not been given for three years. In return, Revanth Reddy said that the arrears of about Rs 203 crore have accumulated. He directed the officials to regularly release the incentives to be given to the dairy farmers from April and also said that every month payments should be made through the green channel.

The chief minister also suggested that there should be a veterinary hospital in every mandal and necessary arrangements should be made in all the 91 new mandals. Mobile veterinary clinic services should be continued and necessary tenders should be called immediately, he said.

He said the funds coming from the Center should be utilized in various schemes.

Revanth Reddy also advised the officials to consider the proposal to give weightage to those who have been working in this department for years in the recruitment of veterinary assistant surgeon posts undertaken by TSPSC and to see that the weightage system implemented in the health department should be applied in this department as well.