Probe Ordered Into Irregularities in Centre’s Sheep, Goats Scheme in AP

Kurnool: Allegations of irregularities in implementation of sheep and goats scheme under the National Livestock Mission (NLM) have prompted the Animal Husbandry department to order field-level investigation across all districts in Andhra Pradesh.

As per the NLM in 2025–26, the centre proposed units of 500 sheep and 25 rams for farmers at a cost of ₹1 crore each.

The centre provides a non-repayable subsidy of ₹50 lakh, banks provide a loan of ₹40 lakh, and the beneficiary contributes ₹10 lakh.

The NLM scheme is aimed at increasing livestock wealth while providing sustainable livelihood opportunities to farmers.

The scheme has faced issues in several districts, with some units becoming defunct after receiving the central subsidy.

Projects worth around ₹196 crore had been taken up across the state, with ₹92.35 crore being central subsidy.

Allegations have surfaced that some beneficiaries and officials colluded to collect the subsidy without fully forming the sheep and goats units.

Officials said several units reportedly stopped functioning after release of the ₹50 lakh central subsidy, for example at Kadiri, Dharmavaram, N.P. Kunta, and Nallacheruvuin Sri Sathya Sai district. In Palnadu district, seven units are said to have stopped midway.

NLM Andhra Pradesh nodal officer P. Venugopal Chowdary said notices had been issued to 30 units.

“We will take further action after receiving their replies,” he said.

Palnadu district reportedly received more than 200 applications for the scheme.

Some applicants have alleged officials rejected their applications saying they lacked educational qualifications and that recommendations from MPs are required for sanctioning the units.

Similar complaints have emerged from Nandyal and Kadapa districts.

Nandyal district Animal Husbandry officer Dr. B. Govinda Naik said the actual position could be established only after field inspection. “Some units are functioning and some appear to have stopped.

We will know the actual situation after visiting the units,” he said.

Animal Husbandry department director Dr. R. Amarendra Kumar said an inquiry has been ordered into the alleged irregularities across the state. “Action will be taken against those responsible based on the inquiry reports,” he said.

In the interim, it is said hundreds of applications submitted to the centre for sanction of the livestock units in AP are pending.

State authorities have reportedly written to the centre not to approve the pending applications until the reported irregularities are examined