Karnataka Anugraha Koduge Scheme – Detailed Guide for Shepherds and Their Families
1. Introduction to the Anugraha Koduge Scheme
The Karnataka Government introduced the Anugraha Koduge Scheme to provide financial support to shepherds and livestock rearers when their sheep or goats die accidentally due to natural disasters, accidents, or health issues. The scheme recognizes that these animals are critical assets and a source of livelihood for shepherd communities.
Key Facts at a Glance:
- Defunct Name: Anugraha Scheme, extended in various forms over the years
- Target: Sheep and goats aged 3–6 months and above 6 months
- Financial Assistance:
- ₹2,500 per animal aged 3–6 months
- ₹5,000 per animal above 6 months (introduced in newer budgets) (yuvakanaja.in, newindianexpress.com)
2. Why This Scheme Matters
🐑 Shepherds’ Livelihood Protection
Sheep and goats are highly vulnerable to:
- Accidents (road, electrocution)
- Health issues and epidemics
- Natural disasters
Loss of even one animal can push a small-scale shepherd into financial distress.
👥 Social and Economic Impact
Most beneficiaries are from rural, backward communities heavily relying on livestock as their main income source. This scheme safeguards their economic stability.
📜 Alignment with Welfare Goals
The scheme underscores Karnataka’s commitment to rural welfare, rural economy, and animal husbandry.
3. Evolution of Scheme Amounts
Over time, the compensation amounts have changed:
- Initial Compensation (pre-2022): ₹2,500 per animal aged 3–6 months (ahvs.karnataka.gov.in)
- Budget 2022–23 Revision: Elevated to ₹3,500 for young animals (3–6 months)
- Current Compensation:
- ₹2,500 for 3–6 month old animals (older rate)
- ₹5,000 for those older than 6 months (yuvakanaja.in)
This increase acknowledges the higher care and economic value of mature animals.
4. Scheme Eligibility and Coverage
👤 Primary Beneficiaries
- Registered shepherds, particularly the Kuruba and other pastoral communities
- Poultry: Sheep/goat owners in rural Karnataka
🐏 Eligible Livestock
- Sheep and goats aged 3 months to over 6 months
- Must be owned by the beneficiary and not part of commercial herds
- Excludes animals used in commercial breeding or trade
💀 Reasons Covered
- Accidents on roads, electrocutions
- Natural disasters (floods, lightning)
- Health crises: states like Lumpy Skin Disease, endemic diseases (newindianexpress.com, karnataka.pscnotes.com)
5. Benefits & Payment Structure
The scheme provides:
- ₹2,500 per animal aged 3–6 months
- ₹5,000 per animal older than 6 months (ahvs.karnataka.gov.in)
- Total relief capped per incident as per government quotas
Payments carried out as ex gratia grants via the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Department.
6. Application Process
📝 Documentation Required
- Application form from Taluk Veterinary Office
- Death certificate signed by Veterinary Officer
- Animal ownership proof (ration card, landholding, local ID)
- Photos of the dead animal, if available
- Beneficiary’s Aadhaar & bank passbook copy
- Official disease/accident report, where needed (karnataka.pscnotes.com, ahvs.karnataka.gov.in)
🏢 Where to Apply
- Taluk Veterinary Office or Animal Husbandry Department
- At times directly via Department’s online portals (if available)
⏳ Application Timeline
- Preferably within 30 days of animal’s death
- Delays risk disqualification or processing delays
7. Implementation Challenges
Despite good intent, multiple factors hinder effectiveness:
⛓️ Payment Delays
- For example, Haveri district saw ₹65 crore backlog, with many shepherds waiting for years (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
- Delays cause financial distress and loss of trust
📊 Inadequate Coverage
- Large number of shepherds affected; ₹65 crore backlog suggests 130,000+ animals affected
- Only fast-payout possible for a fraction of cases
🌐 Awareness Gap
- Many unaware of the scheme
- Limited reach due to remote locations and poor communication
🔄 Bureaucracy Burden
- Slow processing and rural office closures delay relief
- Overburdened staff and inconsistent guidelines hamper execution
8. Success Stories & Positive Developments
Despite challenges, the scheme brings notable relief:
- Financial aid in crisis
- A sense of state support for marginalized communities
- Reinstatement under Siddaramaiah restored faith in farmers (newindianexpress.com, timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
9. Recommendations for Improvement
To enhance scheme impact:
- Digitize Applications
- Taluk-level portals for real-time tracking
- Fast-Track Payments
- Enforce 15-day processing norms
- Outreach Campaigns
- Field awareness via Veterinary Workers and local leaders
- Monitor Fund Utilization
- Public dashboards for transparency
- Extend Insurance Partnerships
- Government subsidizes animal insurance for sheep/goats
- Simplify Documentation
- Accept self-declaration for small losses <3 yrs
10. How Shepherds Can Claim Assistance
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Visit local Veterinary or Animal Husbandry office
- Submit application + required documents
- Request issuance of Death Certificate with official documentation
- Follow up using application number/reference
- Track status with office or online
- Receive relief via bank transfer
Redressal Channels:
- Veterinary Department office
- Veterinary Assistant Surgeon (VAS)
- Taluk Veterinary Officer
- Animal Husbandry helpline
11. Additional Resources & Insurance Links
- Animal Husbandry Department portal: scans older schemes
- Karnataka Sheep and Wool Producers Development Society (infrastructure & support) (ahf.karnataka.gov.in, yuvakanaja.in)
- Ex-gratia Application portal for nationwide submission (services.india.gov.in)
12. Scheme Comparison: National Context
Other states may not match Karnataka’s compensation but offer insurance-based subsidies.
Karnataka’s direct cash relief remains more compassionate and shepherd-friendly.
13. Economic Analysis
Age Group | Avg. Market Value | Compensation | Gap |
---|---|---|---|
3–6 months | ₹3,000–₹5,000 | ₹2,500 | Low |
>6 months | ₹7,000–₹15,000+ | ₹5,000 | Moderate |
The scheme cushions losses but doesn’t fully cover market value, especially for older animals.
14. Farmer Voices & News Reports
- Haveri shepherds reported ₹65 crore delay, only partial disbursement (ahvs.karnataka.gov.in, yuvakanaja.in, timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
- Siddaramaiah reinvigorated scheme after hiatus
These spotlight the need for urgency and full implementation.
15. Future Outlook
Encouraging steps:
- Budgetary revisions
- Political will under new leadership
But requires: - Fast payments
- Digital outreach
- Better governance
16. Conclusion
The Anugraha Koduge Scheme plays a vital role in securing shepherd livelihoods in Karnataka. With compensation amounts improved to ₹2,500 and ₹5,000 per animal, it provides much-needed relief—but gaps in awareness, delays, and limited coverage remain a challenge.
The way forward lies in digital transformation, community outreach, and infrastructure strengthening. Shepherds should continue applying, push for claims, and access the scheme through local veterinary offices.
References
All information has been sourced from:
- Yuva Kanaja: Anugraha Koduge Scheme overview (newindianexpress.com, yuvakanaja.in)
- Karnataka Animal Husbandry Department official updates (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
- Budget and policy reports on compensation revisions
- The Times of India: Report on pending ₹65 crore payments