Vets seek Covid warrior status, threaten agitation across Maharashtra

NAGPUR: The veterinary practitioners association of Maharashtra has given a 10-day ultimatum to the state government to fulfil its 11 demands, which include according them Covid warrior status. The association has threatened to start a statewide agitation from June 10 if its demands are not met.
Dr Pawan Bhagwat, treasurer of the association, said, “Veterinary practitioners and assistants in the animal husbandry department have worked hard in the pandemic despite the risk of getting infected. We served farmers amid Covid, which makes us the most deserving candidates for the status of frontline workers. Vets should be covered under the insurance scheme for frontline workers.”
As most association members are diploma and certificate holders, they want representation in a state-level committee which is formed to revise rules for the appointment of assistant commissioner (animal husbandry) and livestock development officer (Group A).
“There is a promotion quota for diploma/certificate-holder veterinarians. We deserve to represent ourselves in the committee. But the meeting was held without our representation and our quota was cancelled completely. On the other hand, 5% posts have been reserved for the degree holders. This is clear discrimination,” said Bhagwat.
The veterinarian practitioners’ 11 demands include their salary structure, promotion, recruitment on vacant posts and re-designation. Most of these demands are pending for the last five years, they said.
Dr DR Choudhary, working president of the association added, “In 2017, when our association had called for agitation, the then minister of animal husbandry and the principal secretary promised to settle the demands. The agitation was called off after a written assurance from the animal husbandry commissioner.”
But since then, said Choudhary, “No issue has been resolved,” adding that there were 4,500 practising veterinary physicians in the state, half of whom were leading the veterinary hospitals and institutes.