Punjab to set up meat processing plant

Chandigarh, Aug 21 (PTI) To ensure marketing support tothe piggery farmers, the Punjab government will set up astate-of-the-art pig meat processing plant in the state. This decision was taken by Chief Minister ParkashBadal while presiding over a meeting with the delegation ofpiggery farmers and senior officers of the Animal HusbandryDepartment to address related to the marketing of pigs’ meatso as to enhance their profitability, an official spokesmansaid. Badal directed Animal Husbandry department to find asuitable site in the state so that the proposal to set up ameat processing plant could be implemented in the rightearnest. He also asked the Animal Husbandry Department to takeup the matter with UT Administration of Chandigarh to allowthe processing of pig meat to pig farmers in Chandigarh tillthe new plant was established in the state. Taking part in the deliberations, the delegationinformed the Chief Minister that though the pig farming hadpicked up but still they were not getting the desired pricesprevalent in Nagaland and thus deprived of profit. The pig farmers told they could only be benefittedafter the state’s own meat processing plant becomesoperational. The Chief Minister asked the Powercom to ensure thestrict implementation of power supply in all the pig farms. He also directed the excise and taxation department notlevy VAT on the pig feed as already decided by the stategovernment. The pig farmers thanked the Chief Minister with whoseintervention the Union Railways Minister had considerablyreduced the freight charges on each rack by Rs 90,000 fortransporting pigs from Punjab to Dimapur (Nagaland). With this decision, the pig farmers would have to nowpay Rs 1.95 lakh instead of Rs. 2.85 lakh per rack, thespokesman said. There are nearly 400 progressive piggery farmers inthe state. PTI VJKUN