The State cabinet led by Manohar Joshi today decided that Thane, Raigad, Jalna, Parbhani, Akola and newly formed Vashim districts will be the new districts where this programme will be implemented. Joshi announced this decision in a press conference held in Mantralaya this afternoon after the routine weekly cabinet meeting.

The programme is being implemented in Sindhudurg, Ratnagiri, Yavatmal, Chandrapur and Gadchiroli districts for last two years. Estimated cost of the programme for these new districts will be Rs 19.41 crore and will be entirely borne by the Union Government. The money will be spend in coming four years, the Chief Minister said. It is expected that the programme will yield 40 per cent growth in milk production of the State resulting in 5 crore litres more milk.

The programme includes several measures like providing people with cattle and promoting co-operative dairies. Over 6,450 cows and buffaloes will be distributed to interested people at a 50 per cent subsidy. Thirty per cent of the beneficiaries will be women, Joshi said.

Farmers will be encouraged to opt for fodder development scheme under this project. The Dairy Development department of the State Government will provide veterinary services under the project apart from other technical support. New means of milk collection and procurement will be introduced, Joshi said.

Co-operative dairies will be strengthened further and those coming forward to form such dairies were welcome, Joshi added. New milk chilling centres with capacity to handle 10,000 litres of milk everyday will be set up at Jalna, Parbhani and Akola districts. Educated unemployed applicants will be provided with subsidised milk distribution centres and cattle estates will be formed for them at Thane and Raigad, Joshi added.