Courtesy aapn: Animal ambulances will roll out in 50 taluks
BANGALORE: The BJP's concern for animals is becoming increasingly evident. Along with the ban on cattle slaughter, the state government now wants to put in place 24x7 ambulances for animals in rural areas.
Initially, the government will set up 50 mobile veterinary units. To expedite the scheme, there's a provision of Rs 80 lakh in the supplementary estimates, which along with the budget was passed in the recently concluded legislature session.
The success of Arogya Kavacha, the 24x7 emergency ambulance service by the health & family welfare department for the rural masses, is the inspiration for the animal husbandry department to launch this service. It's planned as a public-private partnership (PPP) model.
Lack of adequate veterinary clinics in the villages, shortage of staff and concern for cattle are the main reasons for the service. There is a severe shortage of veterinary doctors in the state, a staggering 942. Recently, animal husbandry minister Revu Naik Belamagi said the government would fill up 487 posts during 2010-11.
The ambulance will have a veterinary doctor and a technical assistant with a bag of emergency medicines. To help farmers, a round-the-clock call centre would be part of the scheme. The 50 ambulances being mobilized this year will be deployed in 50 taluks.
As per the 2007 livestock census, the state's cattle population is about 1.5 crore and there are about 43 lakh buffaloes. The state has about 1 crore sheep, 60 lakh goats and over 4 crore poultry.
Amruta Ubale
Education Officer
Beauty Without Cruelty - India
No comments:
Post a Comment