Pre-monsoon vaccination of livestock in limbo as vets on ‘non-cooperation’ stir

Nagpur: Veterinary paramedics, who have been on agitation for the last three months for their various demands, have stopped vaccination, online work and making monthly and annual reports in Maharashtra. Due to this, the pre-monsoon vaccination of livestock, goats and other animals — which is an annual ritual — has not started yet. Vaccination protects cattle and goats from many infectious diseases.
The association of veterinary paramedics has made it clear that the practitioners will do only ‘artificial insemination’ from July 16 and no other job. As a result, cattle owners, especially from rural Maharashtra, might face major problems as the rainy season will bring many infectious diseases among cattle herds.
Dr Pawan Bhagwat, treasurer of the state veterinary practitioners association, said, “Diploma/certificate holder veterinarians are agitating for their 11 demands for the last many months. As the government is not serious about our demands, we will now perform only the duties designated to us as per the provisions in Veterinary Council Act, 1984.”
According to this act, diploma or certificate holder veterinarians are designated to do only artificial insemination. However, as more than 2,000 posts of livestock development officers and assistant commissioners have been vacant for many years, these practitioners handle all other works right from vaccination, report marking to online registration of animals.
“Diseases like black quarter, haemorrhagic septicemia and foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) can result in huge cattle fatalities if vaccination is not carried out. Our members visit remote villages and conduct this vaccination every year to save thousands of livestock, which is backbone of the rural economy. But the government is not serious about our demands,” said Dr Bhagwat, adding that the agitation would be intensified from July 16.
There are more than 4,500 posts of livestock supervisor and assistant livestock development in the state and only 2,850 of them have competent officers appointed. All other posts are vacant and diploma/certificate holder veterinarians are doing their work. They also head many veterinary hospitals and clinics in rural area.
Animal husbandry minister Sunil Kedar is from Nagpur district and the veterinarians in Vidarbha have demanded his special attention. “We have submitted memorandums to the minister, chief minister and all officials. Now, we are helplessly stopping our work,” said a senior office-bearer.
Vax for dairy animals during monsoon
Black Quarter vaccine: For acute swelling on heavy muscles
Haemorrhagic septicemia vaccine: For bacterial disease that is a key cause of livestock mortality in India
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine: For highly contagious virus disease of animals, which is one of the most serious livestock diseases
Deworming: Ideally to be carried out after every 3 months