Hyderabad: The sheep distributed under the Telangana government’s flagship scheme are being sold by the beneficiaries to Andhra Pradesh-based agents, who later sell them back to the Telangana government to be distributed to the beneficiaries again.
Though the government is actively distributing the sheep, there is no proper monitoring. With the police now increasing vigil on the borders, the illegal business has shifted to waterways. Two days ago, two boats, ferrying the sheep, were caught in Nagarjunasagar. The forest department chased them. However, the suspects escaped, leaving the boats.
A few agents were also caught at the check-post in Jogulamba Gadwala, Nalgonda, Suryapet, Mahabubnagar and other bordering districts. There are many takers for the sheep in Guntur and its surroundings. Besides, there is a complaint that the sheep brought from the northern states are unable to adapt to the local weather conditions and are falling sick. Fearing loss, shepherds are disposing them of.
According to the scheme, any adult belonging to the shepherd community is eligible for the scheme. Taking advantage of this, people who are working as daily wage earners, auto drivers, kirana store owners and even students have enrolled for the scheme and received the sheep from the government. Till date, around 10 lakh beneficiaries have been identified.
“Some people are even pursuing it as a vocation. However, there are others who dispose of the sheep for a bargain as they can double their investment in a short period,” sources said. The applications are vetted at the grama sabha by villagers who are supposed to report any violation. But due to fear, villagers seldom speak.
Officials blame it on black sheep
Officials said that the sheep scheme is being implemented with positive results with 90 per cent beneficiaries. However, a few officials were found violating the law. Some of the officials, who were found careless, were suspended. “With reports of selling the sheep to agents, we have requested the police to book cases,” said Dr V. Lakshma Reddy, MD of TSS GDCFL.
He said that genuine beneficiaries are already reaping rich dividends. Meanwhile, the Nalgonda district collector had instructed officials to take action against the beneficiaries who are found selling the subsidised sheep.
Before the launching the scheme, official had requested the government to implement a one-year locking period, prohibiting the beneficiary to sell the subsidised sheep. But the government turned down the proposal.
However, after reports of illegal trade by beneficiaries, the police, animal husbandry and the revenue departments have swung into action.
Telangana State Sheep and Goat Development Cooperative Federation (TSSGDCFL) MD Mr V. Lakshma Reddy said that they have started working in coordination with other departments and have begun booking cases against violators.
Dr Ch. Ramesh, joint director for animal husbandry, Nalgonda, said that they have issued strict guidelines against selling the subsidy sheep.
Lack of laws hit court cases against agents
The cases against the agents are stuck in legal tangles with the courts reprimanding officials for not formulating proper guidelines for the scheme. As per the instructions from the revenue department, the police are booking cases against the agents.
The police said that there are no proper sections under the IPC to book cases. The courts are finding fault with police and the animal husbandry department.
“Majority of these cases may not stand in the court. Unless the government makes amendments, there won’t be much change,” an official said. In a recent case, when the suspects were produced before the court, the magistrate reprimanded officials for not formulating proper guidelines. “All these concerns have been taken to the government and we are expecting a solution soon” he added.
