Government of India outlines major steps to strengthen veterinary services, expand dairy cooperatives, and manage stray dogs
The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying today informed the Rajya Sabha about a set of ongoing and planned measures aimed at strengthening veterinary and animal healthcare services, accelerating White Revolution 2.0, and improving humane management of stray dogs across the country.
Veterinary services
Under the Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme, the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying is providing 100% central assistance for vaccination against Foot and Mouth Disease, Brucellosis, PPR, and Classical Swine Fever. In addition, 4,019 Mobile Veterinary Units are operational in 29 States and Union Territories under the veterinary hospital and dispensary strengthening component. Support is also being extended for disease prevention, diagnostic laboratories, and training of veterinarians and para-veterinarians.
White Revolution 2.0
The Government said White Revolution 2.0 aims to expand dairy cooperative coverage to uncovered villages through the creation of 75,000 new Dairy Cooperative Societies and strengthening of 46,422 existing societies by 2028–29. Progress under the programme has already shown strong results, with cumulative achievement of 67,433 societies against a target of 54,442 by March 2026. The average cooperative milk procurement in 2025–26 has reached 700 lakh litres per day.
Support for farmers
To help unorganized dairy farmers transition into formal cooperative structures, support is being provided through the National Programme for Dairy Development via formation and strengthening of Dairy Cooperative Societies, along with training and quality testing equipment. The Government also highlighted NDDB-led modernization of dairy plants through advanced processing technologies, automation systems, and sustainable energy measures. Digital payment systems, including Automatic Milk Collection Units and Data Processor Milk Collection Units, are being used to ensure transparent, real-time farmer payments.
Stray dog management
The Government said it has notified the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, creating a statutory framework for humane and scientific management of street dogs through sterilization and anti-rabies vaccination. Under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment scheme for 2026–27, States may also establish dog shelters, animal shelters, and animal birth control centres, while sterilization and vaccination are included among reform-linked measures
Rabies elimination effort
The Ministry also referred to the National Action Plan for Dog Mediated Rabies Elimination, which is being implemented with stakeholder ministries under a One Health approach to eliminate dog-mediated rabies by 2030. The Department has further issued directions to States and Union Territories to implement the Animal Birth Control Programme in letter and spirit following the Supreme Court’s directions dated 19 May 2026.
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