Cabinet clears return of CIRB land to Punjab government

NEW DELHI: The Cabinet today approved a proposal to return over 72 acres of land, which buffaloes research institute CIRB was holding on lease, to the Punjab government for setting up a fodder farm in Patiala.

The Punjab government has asked the Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes to return the land because it is constructing the Advanced Cattle Farm in Patiala and needs the land to cultivate feed and fodder to maintain 300 cattle.

"The Cabinet approved the transfer back by de-leasing of 72 acres and 3 marla of land adjoining the main water channel and forest area of the sub-campus of CIRB at Nabha, Punjab to the Department of Animal Husbandry, government of Punjab for maintaining of cattle at the Advanced Cattle Farm," an official statement said.

This decision fulfils the fodder requirements for the Advanced Cattle Farm being set up at Rauni in Patiala, it added.

In the statement, the government said the de-leasing of land should be subject to an undertaking by the Punjab government that it will utilise the land exclusively for setting up of a fodder farm for cattle.

That apart, research bodies CIRB and ICAR will extend the needed technical support (without any financial involvement) for carrying out research on fodder development in Punjab, it added.