Heated exchange in Assembly over livestock insurance scheme implementation

Jaipur: A sharp exchange erupted in the Assembly Thursday during Question Hour as Congress MLA Harish Chaudhary questioned the implementation of the livestock insurance scheme and sought details on premium payments, expressing dissatisfaction with the govt's reply.Chaudhary alleged that his queries were not answered directly and claimed he was not being heard even in departments headed by the concerned minister. He further alleged interference by party organisation leaders in his constituency. BJP state president Madan Rathore was present in the visitors' gallery when the remarks were made.
Responding to the charges, Animal Husbandry minister Joraram Kumawat informed the House that a target of insuring 42 lakh animals had been set for the current financial year. So far, 31,10,735 animals had been registered and insurance policies issued to over 16 lakh livestock owners, he said. Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully sought clarification on how the remaining animals would be covered before March, noting that only a month remained to achieve the target. Tensions escalated when govt Chief Whip Jogeshwar Garg said that the minister "is not your slave" and urged members to maintain decorum, triggering protests from the opposition. Kumawat also criticised the previous govt's Kamdhenu Insurance Scheme, claiming that despite over one crore applications, only 1,764 animals were insured and claims were left pending, which the present govt had cleared.