Ahmedabad: Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and other dignitaries presented best milkmen awards to 566 state, district and taluka level winners at the annual 2016-17 awards distribution ceremony at Rajkot today.

The first state level prize went to Sanjaybhai Ravjibhai Mendpara of Upleta taulka in Rajkot district, the second prize to Lakshiben Jasubhai Patel of Matoda village in Khedbrahma taluka in Sabarkantha district and the third prize to Kirtibhai Jerambhai Parekhia of Gandevi taluka in Navsari taluka. Two winners were selected from each district and two winners from each taluka by the Animal Husbandry Department.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Rupani underscored the need for encouraging dairy as a fulltime avocation. The government is offering many schemes to encourage and improve milk cattle breeds. He said that Gujarat milkmen are supplying milk to different places in India. As many as 3,800 dairies are run by all-women milk co-operative societies alone in Gujarat.

He said that Gujarat Government has implemented Rs.5,000-crore SAUNI project, while tenders have been issued for another Rs.6,000-crore project to ensure adequate water supply for irrigation and animal husbandry in the water-starved Saurashtra region.

Water Supply and Animal Husbandry Minister Babubhai Bokharia gave details of the department’s activities. Lectures by experts and a PowerPoint Presentation were arranged on the occasion.

Those present on the occasion included MP Mohanbhai Kundaria, MLA Govindbhai Patel, State Municipal Finance Board Chairman Dhansukhbhai Bhanderi, GoSeva Ayog Chairman Vallabhbhai Kathiria, Pavitra Yatradham Board Vice-Chairman Rajubhai Druv, District Collector Vikrant Pandey, DDO G.T. Pandya and Police Commissioner Anupam Gehlot.

The function was conducted by State Animal Husbandry Director Hita Patel, Joint Director Panchal and Shaileshbhai Sagparia.

– Information