Chennai, Tamil Nadu :

The ruling AIADMK government in Tamil Nadu is all set to distribute six lakh goats to 1.5 lakh rural poor in the state during 2014-15 and Rs 198.25 crore has been sanctioned for its procurement.

A total of 1.5 lakh landless beneficiaries, predominantly women in rural areas, will be given four goats or sheep each to support them for a sustainable livelihood opportunity, officials said.

After returning to power in 2011, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa launched the free distribution of the goats-sheep scheme. This was one of the several freebie schemes like free distribution of milch cows and fans.

The free goat scheme is aimed at benefiting the poorest of the poor in the rural areas. It was part of efforts to enhance their standard of living by ensuring a sustainable livelihood option.

The government has decided to procure goats-sheep, mainly from the local markets available in Tamil Nadu in the proximity of the beneficiaries.

The procurement from village level breeders will also be permitted if good quality animals are ensured. So far, 14,44,488 goats-sheep have been distributed to beneficiaries since 2011, they said.

As per norms, beneficiaries should be from the poorest of the poor families living in village panchayats. They should be identified by the village-level committee and approved by the grama sabha.

At least 30 per cent beneficiaries from the village panchayat must belong to Scheduled Caste (29 per cent) and Scheduled Tribe (one per cent) communities.

Beneficiaries in the districts bordering Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala also have a choice of procuring the animals from the markets in other States.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Tamil Nadu / by PTI / May 21st, 2014