Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa has reportedly announced plans to distribute six lakh free goats and sheep to 1.5 lakh rural poor in the state during fiscal 2014-15.
According to media reports, the state government has set aside a sum of Rs.198.25 crore for purchasing these goats for later distribution among the poor, most of them women.
It is expected that each of the beneficiaries will be given four goats or sheep each to support them for a sustainable livelihood opportunity, officials said.
The officials further said that the free goat scheme is aimed at benefiting the poorest of the poor in the rural areas. The goats or sheep will be procured primarily from local markets in Tamil Nadu.
