Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today attended an orientation program organized for newly appointed veterinarians, livestock inspectors, junior fisheries assistants and junior engineers as chief guest through video conferencing and said that fisheries and livestock sector is an engine of growth at the grass root level.
The program was held simultaneously at Lokseva Bhavan Conference Hall and Jaydev Bhavan in Bhubaneswar. Departmental officers of all districts participated in the program through video conferencing. A total of 146 veterinarians, 588 animal inspectors, 67 junior fisheries assistants and 3 junior engineers have been newly appointed by the state government.
On this occasion, Naveen said that Odisha is an agriculturally dominant state and more than 70 percent of people in its rural areas are engaged in various agricultural activities.
Most of them are supplementing their income through animal husbandry and fisheries. The state government is making continuous efforts to make the life of these farmers more comfortable, increase their income and put a smile on their faces. That is why the fisheries and livestock development sector has been identified by the state government as an engine of growth for farmers, women self-help groups and entrepreneurs, he said.
The Chief Minister said that the fisheries and livestock sector has a special role to play in meeting the protein calorie requirements of the people in rural areas, providing nutrition and above all food security. Therefore, he opined that the officers of this department should realize how important their responsibilities are.
Emphasizing on 5T initiatives, the Chief Minister said that by maintaining complete transparency, working in team spirit and application of scientific knowledge, real change can be ensured at the grass root level and pave way for fisheries and livestock development. He hoped that the newly appointed employees would maintain integrity and work with dedication.
Ranendra Pratap Swain, Minister of Fisheries and Livestock Development, said that due to the visionary leadership of the Chief Minister, livestock production has increased in the state today. He said that in the last 20 years, milk production in the state has increased three times, meat production six times, eggs three times and fish production four times. He hoped that this new appointment would bring happiness and change in the lives of farmers engaged in animal husbandry and fish production in the state.
Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra said that the Chief Minister has attached importance to the recruitment program in the state. He said that thousands of youth are being recruited every month by various commissions and departments in the state. He opined that more economic growth is happening in rural areas due to development in related sectors.
In the program, the newly appointed staff and officers – Assistant Veterinarian Dr Rishi Nand, Junior Fisheries Assistant Shubhashree Saubhagyalakshmi Barik and Zoo Inspector Satasa Kumar Sahu expressed their experience in the key recruitment process and expressed that the leadership of the Chief Minister has given hope to the youth. He said that they will work with clarity and dedication to further the transformation era of the state.
After exchanging views with the newly appointed officers and employees, Secretary to CM (5T) VK Pandian advised that as they have been able to prove their skills by getting hired in a transparent process, it is important to maintain transparency in the employment sector and serve the people of the state.
He said that the Chief Minister has upgraded the post of veterinarian from group-B to group-A, stating that there has been a lot of progress in the area of animal husbandry in the state and that animal husbandry has played an important role in doubling the income of farmers. The Chief Minister has emphasized on this area.
He suggested that all the employees of the department should follow 5 principles to triple the income of the farmers.
Agriculture Production Commissioner Sanjeev Chopra was present on the occasion. Suresh Kumar Vashishth, Secretary, Fisheries and Livestock Development Department delivered the welcome address and the vote of thanks was given by the Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine.
Since animal husbandry and fisheries provide livelihood, income, protein supplementation and food security to rural families, the role of veterinarians, livestock inspectors and fisheries experts has become indispensable.
The role of veterinarians is very important in managing animal health, ensuring nutritional security for the livelihoods of rural people, especially women and children.
Junior engineers help build infrastructure to increase fish production in the state. Livestock inspectors and junior fisheries assistants are key grassroots workers who bridge the gap between farmers and the government. They work for the successful implementation of various programs of the government.
