SHILLONG, March 10: Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Minister, Alexander Laloo Hek on Friday said one of his top priorities will be to make Meghalaya self-sufficient in meat production.
“Most people in the state eat meat but there is a huge gap between supply and demand. We will try to reduce it by making various interventions,” Hek told reporters after he had an informal meeting with senior officers of the department.
On the distribution of piglets through the Piggery Mission, he said he is aware that there were distributions of piglets even during elections.
“I am yet to review the implementation of the Piggery Mission. Once I have a detailed review of it, I will have some idea on whether the livestock farmers are benefitting from this mission,” Hek said.
He said he will not be able to comment much on the alleged smuggling of cattle.
“I have just taken over and I really don’t know about the modus operandi of cattle smuggling. I need to have an in-depth discussion with my officers on this particular issue,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said he is not disappointed with the portfolios that he got.
“I have been the Health Minister for two terms and I would have been more than happy if I had got this portfolio even this time. But I am happy with the portfolios given to me,” Hek said.
He said it is the sole prerogative of the Chief Minister as far as the allotment of portfolios to the Ministers is concerned.
“Perhaps, the Chief Minister felt it is better to allow somebody else to hold the Health department this time round,” Hek, who is also the Minister of Fisheries, Printing and Stationery and SAD, added.