Only one vet for every 21,000 animals in state

Bhubaneswar: There is one veterinary doctor for every 21,760 livestock in the state, against the norm of one for 5,000 animals.

The state government did not appoint any veterinary doctor in last six years while no new post was created for last 40 years, alleged alumni and students of College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry under the Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology.

Hundreds of qualified veterinarians are jobless and being forced to switch to other professions due to apathy of the state government, they said.

"While there is an urgent need of veterinary doctors to improve the condition of livestock in the state, government is trying to manage the show through livestock inspectors," said an alumnus of the university.

According to the latest National Commission on Agriculture report, one veterinary doctor is appointed for 3,000, 5,000, 9,653 and 9,954 livestock in states like Kerala, Maharashtra, Haryana and Tamil Nadu respectively.

"In Odisha, one veterinary doctor is in charge of treatment of livestock in 95 villages. This has resulted in decreasing population of livestock over the years," said another student.

The vets said there were 2,939 Livestock Assistance Centres (LACs) managed by livestock inspectors and 540 veterinary dispensaries in 2012-13 in the state. While the state increased number of LACs to 3,040 in 2014-15, the number of dispensaries remained the same. So the number of posts of veterinary doctors remained 540, the student added.

"Unemployment is increasing as recruitment is not done," said general secretary of Veterinary College Students' Union S Kameswar Reddy.

They said there is a requirement of over 2,000 assistant veterinary surgeons in the state but only 1,100 are managing the show. One veterinary dispensary is required for 5,000 adult livestock but at present the state has one dispensary for 20,000 livestock. The shortage of veterinarians is encouraging quackery and unethical treatment of animals, Reddy said.

The crisis is affecting overall growth of agriculture and dairy sectors, said president of the students' union Somnath Baral.

Secretary of fisheries and animal resources department Bishnupada Sethi said, "We have adequate number of veterinary doctors according to the demand. Rather we need more number of paramedics, who can provide service under the guidance of veterinarians."