The Indian government is taking steps to enhance the oversight of its livestock-related schemes, such as the National Livestock Mission and Rashtriya Gokul Mission. The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying will deploy National Level Monitors (NLMs) to ensure the effective implementation of these programs.
Scheme for NLMs Approval
Alka Upadhyaya, Secretary of the Department, has announced that a scheme for NLMs has been approved, and the process of empaneling these monitors is underway, with completion expected within one to one-and-a-half months.
Comprehensive Monitoring
In addition to the National Livestock Mission and Rashtriya Gokul Mission, the Department of Animal Husbandry oversees other vital programs such as the National Programme for Dairy Development and the Livestock Health and Disease Control program. All of these initiatives will be subject to monitoring by the NLMs.
Dual Monitoring Approach
NLMs will engage in two types of monitoring: regular and special. Their objectives include ensuring that the Ministry’s programs adhere to the Ministry’s guidelines and prescribed implementation processes. They will also seek input from villagers, gather suggestions for improvement, and assess the transparency and fairness of beneficiary selection.
Assessment of Incentives
NLMs will evaluate whether incentives for para vets, technicians, and farmers are distributed as intended under the scheme. They will also scrutinize the accuracy of data related to vaccination, disease monitoring, and artificial insemination uploaded in real-time on the National Digital Livestock Mission platform.
Addressing Complaints
In cases of serious complaints from people’s representatives and farmers regarding fund misutilization or irregularities, NLMs may be dispatched for fact-finding or preliminary investigations with the Secretary’s approval.
Diverse Monitoring Methods
The Department currently employs various methods to monitor scheme implementation, including progress reports at different intervals, management information systems, regional review meetings, and video conferencing sessions with participating states.
Significance of Livestock Sector
This emphasis on national-level monitoring of animal husbandry and dairying schemes is significant due to the increasing contribution of this sector to India’s economy. The Department aims to ensure that monitoring is “unbiased and objective” by engaging independent third-party NLMs, including retired Civil and Defense Services Officers and academia.
Previous NLM Deployments
The Ministry of Rural Development has previously deployed NLMs to oversee their schemes, uncovering irregularities in the execution of various schemes in various states.
Growing Livestock Sector
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying has highlighted the growing importance of the livestock sector in agriculture. Its contribution to agricultural output has steadily increased, reaching 30.87 percent in 2020-21, with a compounded annual growth rate of 7.93 percent. The value of the output from the livestock sector has reached significant levels, with milk output alone surpassing the combined value of paddy and wheat, making it the highest among all agricultural products.
