Giving cow farming project to Milma surprises

KOCHI: The appointment of an outside agency, Milma, by the state government, to implement a project in cow rearing for the Scheduled Caste Department has raised eyebrows. The officials in the Scheduled Caste Department said that entrusting such a project to an inexperienced agency has been rather surprising. “Such projects were handed over to the Dairy Development Department till last year. But this time the scheme was handed over to Milma which is new on the scene,” they said. Besides, the SC Department has not been furnished with any further details on how to carry out the project.“We have been told that 500 cows of hybrid varieties will be provided to the beneficiaries. But little details are given on how to select the beneficiaries and also on the mode of payment,” sources said.When enquired about the issue, K Padmarajan, District Development Officer, said they had already written to the Directorate of Scheduled Caste Department seeking further clarifications on the project. “We could not act on it as the project appeared a little vague. Hence I have written to the Directorate, Scheduled Caste Department, Thiruvananthapuram. We are awaiting their response,” he said. Another clause which has bewildered the officials is that the project has to be carried out through the local bodies. “In panchayats, such projects are supposed to be carried out through the grama sabhas which meet four times a year. Already one meeting of the grama sabha has been held. Hence confusion prevails over how the panchayats would be able to take up the project,” they said.With respect to the selection of beneficiaries, veterinary surgeons of the Milma and the SC development officers have been asked to work together. However, the official said that it is not always feasible. “Since the surgeons and the officers belong to two  departments, it will not be possible for them to work together,” the officials added. Minister for Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes A P Anil Kumar said that the project was sanctioned to Milma as it was found to be more helpful. “We entrusted the project to Milma as they could  manage the distribution of the milk produced from the project.”Milma Managing Director told Express that the clarifications regarding the project will be given once the agency signs a memorandum of understanding with the government.