Tamil Nadu Free Milch Cow & Goat Scheme

The free Milch cow and goat scheme will be resumed again, which was discontinued because of drought. The Honorable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu declared on July 7, 2011, that the Ministry will circulate about sixty thousand cows for free of cost to people in need for five years from now. This scheme is for the poorest of the poor people of the state, intending to make their standard of living a little better. They will be provided with free cows or goats, so the scheme is called “Scheme for Free Distribution of Milch Cows” and “Scheme for Free Distribution of Goats / Sheep”. The program was launched on September 15, 2011, on the auspicious occasion and Perarignar Anna’s birth anniversary. 

Objectives

The Government is introducing numerous schemes that focus on enhancing the financial status of low-income families. And, under that scheme, sixteen hundred families will be provided with Milch cows for absolutely free of cost. This project will be regulated in villages with no milk accommodations, and the Government will help in setting up and formation for the same. The STs or Scheduled Tribes will be given thirty per cent of the benefit from the scheme’s benefits. The Government has decided to provide four goats to seven lakhs families for free of cost for the next five years, which will result in the uplifting of the economy. The Government will pay for insurance and transport costs.

Features 

The Scheme for Free Distribution of Milch Cows 

The Scheme for Free Distribution of Milch cows is especially for those places where there are no Milk Cooperative Societies. In these villages, the regulation and formation of Milk Cooperative Societies is the responsibility of the Village Panchayats, and the milk will be obtained from the qualified individuals under this scheme. The lactating cows that are in the first or second lactation are allowed to collect milk from, as this will ensure regular lactation. The age of the animals must not be more than five years. Every household will be given one milch cow, and the women of the house will be the primary beneficiary for the empowerment of women. The sourcing and purchasing of the milch cows will be from outside the state, and it is the responsibility of the recipient to do so. Every recipient will be given thirty thousand rupees each for the buying the cows along with more one thousand rupees as the transport cost. 

Scheme for Free Distribution of Goats or Sheep

Under the program for free distribution of goats and sheep, the beneficiary must receive four goats/sheep in which one male and three females must be there who are at least six months or older. It is allowed to buy the sheep/goats from the local market, from supplies or breeders, shandies of nearby states, etc. The primary beneficiary will be women as well. The recipient will be given twelve thousand rupees in total for buying, for nutrients and seeds and other requirements.

You will be able to find more details about this scheme on Cow Goat Scheme official website.

Eligibility 

The eligible criteria for the “Scheme for Free Distribution of Sheep or Goat” is discussed below-

• The individual must be a Landless Agricultural Labor.
• He or she must be a permanent inhabitant of the village Panchayat.
• The individual must have at least one family member between the ages of 18 to 60 who is capable of rearing the Sheep or Goats effectively.
• The family must not own any cow or goat or sheep at the present moment.
• The beneficiary must not be an employee of the Central or State Government or any Institution/ Member or Cooperative of any local body nor should their spouse or Father/mother/parents-in-law/son/daughter/son-in-law/daughter-in-law.
• The family must not have benefited from the free Milch Cows Distribution Scheme by the Government.

The eligible criteria for the “Scheme for Free Distribution of Milch Cows” is discussed below:

• The households handled by women will be given more importance. Disabled women, widows and destitute will be given more priority.
• The beneficiary must be below sixty years old.
• Must not own land more than one acre under their name or any family members. But ownership of some property is allowed, as it will enable the creation of green fodder in their land.
• Must not own any buffaloes or cows at the moment.
• Must be a permanent resident of the village.
• The beneficiary should not be an employee of Central / State Government or any Organization/ Cooperative or member of any Local Body nor should their spouse or father/mother/parents-in-law/son/daughter/son-in-law/daughter-in-law be so.
• Must not be already benefited under the free goats/ sheep scheme by the Government.

Application Procedure

Step 1: Identification Procedure

The Director of the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services has the responsibility of choosing the number of beneficiaries for every district. The gram Panchayats will help in hunting down the poorest of the poor of the villages.

Step 2: Application Form

The collector of the district will hold meetings in the villages as gram sabhas to provide information about the eligibility and application details as well. Qualified people will be given the applications within a week.

Step 3: Application Submission

The filled application has to be submitted to the Village Committee Members and the Village Panchayat afterwards

Step 4: Distribution

The distribution of the animals will be as per the given guidelines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the scheme for Free Cows/Goats and Sheep?

The free distribution of cows or goats/sheep is for the poorest people living in the rural areas which will result in a better capacity of living along with increasing the economic status of the rural people.

Q. Who launched this scheme?

The government of Tamil Nadu launched this scheme.

Q. When was this scheme launched?

The scheme was launched in September 2011.

Q. Why was this scheme suspended?

This scheme was suspended in 2016 due to drought then it was again re-introduced in 2017.

Q. Is this scheme for the whole country?

No, this scheme is only for the people of Tamil Nadu.

Q. Who will be the main beneficiary under this scheme?

The main beneficiary will be the women of the household to promote women empowerment.

Q. What is the amount the beneficiaries will receive under the Free Distribution of Milch Cows Scheme?

The qualified individuals will receive thirty thousand each for milch cows.

Q. What is the amount the beneficiaries will receive under Free Distribution of Goats/Sheep Scheme?

The qualified individuals will receive a total twelve thousand each