A massive protest was held in Jaipur today after the death of thousands of cattle due to lumpy skin disease (LSD) in the state. As per reports, 11 lakh cattle have been impacted by LSD while over 57,000 have been killed.
After being prohibited from advancing to the state assembly, protesters engaged in violent arguments with the police, breaking barricades, and raising slogans.
A BJP representative took a cow outside the state assembly on Monday in an effort to raise awareness on the lumpy skin disease among the state authorities.
Ashok Gehlot, the chief minister, has urged the central government to declare the LSD as a national calamity.
He said "How to prevent lumpy skin disease in cows is our top priority. We are demanding that the Centre designate it a national calamity because the Centre is responsible for providing the vaccine and medications in such a case."
Milk collection drops; cost of sweets increases
The disease has also affected Jaipur's milk collection, increasing the cost of sweets manufactured in the state. Although there hasn't been a disruption in supply yet, the largest milk cooperative in the state, Jaipur Dairy Federation, reports that milk collection is down 15 to 18%.
Since animal husbandry is the foundation of Rajasthan's economy, Chief Minister Gehlot has voiced concern about the current scenario. In this arid state, milk is the main source of income for farmers. As LSD has spread to 13 states, he has written to the Centre requesting that it be declared a national calamity.
According to Om Poonia, the chairman of the Jaipur Dairy Federation, daily milk collection has decreased from the usual 14 lakh litres to 12 lakh litres.
In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gehlot has asked for additional help to combat the disease. He also demanded that Rajasthan be given priority once the vaccine is available.
The goat pox vaccine has shown to be successful even though there is currently no vaccine to prevent the disease. Rajasthan has 16.22 lakh doses of the goat pox vaccine, of which 12.32 lakh have been vaccinated in cattle.
