Vadodara: Donkey owners in Pavagadh resumed work on Tuesday bringing respite to those having homes and businesses on the hill top as well as the Panchmahal district administration.
They had stopped work in wake of the strict implementation of rules regarding the limit of the weight that can be transported on a donkey.
The district administration had decided to implement The Prevention of Cruelty to Draught and Pack Animals Rules. Under the rules, a donkey can be used to carry only 50kg weight. It was decided that a check post with a weighing scale would also be used to ensure that the rules are followed.
The district administration engaged the donkey owners and shopkeepers over the last couple of days to end the stalemate. The donkey owners were assured that their rates would be revised and were asked to start supplying material other than gas cylinders.
“We have started work today and are carrying items other than gas cylinders. We will be holding a meeting with the traders later this week to decide on the revision of rates,” said Sanjay Rana, who owns donkeys. Rana said that a meeting was planned on Tuesday itself, but could not be held as some donkey owners were out of station.
The district administration has also spoken to a local gas agency for arranging 5kg cylinders. “Once these are available, the issue will be resolved to quite some extent. The upcoming ropeway to carry material for the temple will also be used for gas cylinders of heavy weights like gas cylinders,” said an official.