The change in political situation in the State has apparently reflected in government authorities handling the demand of livestock farmers in Vellakovil-Kangayam belt for compensation at market rates for goats/sheep killed by wandering dogs, with a considerate approach.

The recurring instances usually trigger protests by farmers for hours, followed, at times, by arrest of the agitating farmers, police cases, and the usual response by officials of Revenue Department that their demands will be conveyed to the Government.

This pattern had caused immense consternation among the farmers in the rain-fed area where there was a strong dependence on livestock for livelihood.

This time around, in the wake of recent death of 14 goats in Veeranampalayam and Moolanur villages, the farmers who were planning to stage protest in front of the Collectorate were approached without delay by senior-level officials of Animal Husbandry Department with an assurance that their demand (for compensation at market rate) will be considered in right earnest.

The assurance was followed by a written communication from the Regional Joint Director of Animal Husbandry to the affected farmers that measures will be taken to evaluate the value of future loss of livestock to wandering dogs based on market rates.

The farmers were sanctioned compensation of ₹14.97 lakh fixed at ₹6,000 per grown goat/sheep in the first phase.

In the second phase, the affected livestock farmers were sanctioned ₹38.32 lakh for loss of 1,389 goats/ sheep, during February. But, the disbursal was not made.

The livestock farmers have been demanding that the value of a dead goat/sheep ought to be fixed between ₹ 12,000 and ₹15,000, based on market rates.

The Joint Director of Animal Husbandry Department had said in the letter that the compensation sanctioned under second phase will shortly be credited into the bank accounts of the affected farmers.

The significant aspect in the official communication was the mention about evaluation of loss to livestock farmers on the basis of market rates, P. Velusamy, president of PAP Vellakovil Branch Canal (Kangayam-Vellakovil) Water Conservation Association, who spearheaded the farmers’ protests over the issue, said, welcoming the official assurance.