Chandigarh: Setting a target to complete the vaccination of animals against Hemorrhagic septicemia (HS) and Foot & Mouth Disease (FMD) in the state, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries & Dairy Development Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar, on Wednesday, directed the officials of the department to complete vaccination against these diseases by 30th September and 15th October, respectively.

Giving information about the HS vaccination campaign, the Cabinet Minister said, the department has achieved 83 percent vaccination target for the year 2022-23, while adding that out of a total 52,70,100 doses of vaccine received by the department, as many as 43,74,710 animals have been vaccinated so far. He directed to the officials to administer the remaining 8,76,240 doses by September 30. The Minister informed that 19,150 doses remained unused due to negligence of employees in district Pathankot, which get expired. In this regard, show cause notices are being issued to all the erring employees, said the Minister adding that wastage of public money will not be tolerated at any cost and accountability will be fixed in such cases.

While divulging details of the FMD vaccination, he said that out of a total 62,94,970 vaccine doses, 54,24,761 doses have been administered, which became 86.17 percent and the remaining 8,70,209 doses will be administered by October 15, he added.