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The Hindu
2 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Kerala yet to submit rabies elimination plan, says Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh
The Kerala government has not finalised and submitted the State Action Plan for Rabies Elimination (SAPRE), Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh informed in a letter to Kodikunnil Suresh, MP. 'The National Action Plan for Dog-Mediated Rabies Elimination (NAPRE) has been launched, under which States are required to prepare and implement their respective SAPREs. However, the Government of Kerala is yet to finalise and submit its SAPRE. It is necessary that this process be expedited to ensure effective coordination and eligibility for Central support under the plan,' Mr. Singh said. The Union Minister said the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) has extended support to Kerala in managing the stray population by recognising Animal Birth Control (ABC) centres in Kannur, Kollam, Thrissur, Ernakulam, Alappuzha and Wayanad. 'Approval has also been granted for conducting ABC programmes through mobile units and by government veterinary hospitals using trained veterinarians,' he said. Mr. Singh further noted that AWBI has recently published an animal birth control module to guide the implementation of the programme and has issued a series of advisories to promote humane management of stray animals, encourage vaccination and reduce human-animal conflict. He emphasised that the continued support and proactive intervention of the State government in implementing the ABC Rules and preparing the SAPRE would be crucial in preventing rabies deaths. The SAPRE in Kerala is being prepared jointly by the Health, Animal Husbandry and Local Self Government departments, with the Health department acting as the nodal agency. 'The preparation of SAPRE is nearing completion. Since it is a joint action plan, we need to consolidate the inputs from all three departments. Once that is done, we will submit it to the Union Ministry for vetting,' said a Health department official. MP slams Kerala govt Meanwhile, Mr. Suresh criticised the Kerala government for the delay in submitting the action plan. 'The submission of SAPRE is a mandatory requirement. The delay has now been flagged by the Union government. Despite repeated reminders and formal communications issued by the Ministry and the AWBI, the State government has failed to act. The ABC Rules, 2023, remain largely unimplemented across Kerala in the absence of SAPRE. This is not merely an administrative delay, but an outright failure of governance,' the Mavelikara MP said.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Madurai to get third dog sterilisation centre
Madurai: In a move to strengthen its animal birth control (ABC) programme, the Madurai Corporation will soon open a third sterilisation centre in the city. An existing corporation health facility near Thangaraj Salai, opposite the corporation swimming pool, will be converted into a small sterilisation unit at an estimated cost of ₹50 lakh. The decision follows a recent stray dog census that counted 38,348 street dogs within city limits. Currently, two ABC centres—at Sellur and Vellaikal—carry out sterilisation and anti-rabies vaccination (ARV) procedures, performing 20–30 surgeries daily as per Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) ABC Rules, 2023. In 2024, around 4,000 dogs were sterilised. With the new centre, the corporation aims to increase this to 5,000 by year-end. "Though the new facility will be small, it will help boost surgery numbers and ease the load on existing centres," a senior health official said. Tenders will be floated soon, and veterinary support from the animal husbandry department is also being considered. The civic body pays ₹1,650 per dog to a private agency for ABC operations—₹1,450 for the surgery and ₹200 for dog-catching, in line with AWBI guidelines. Rising stray dog numbers and an increase in dog bite cases have led to growing public and activist pressure to expand the ABC programme. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Anında yanıt seçenekli kredi kartlarına nasıl başvuracağınızı öğrenin LocalPlan Hemen ara Undo Corporation data shows a jump in reported dog bite cases from 3,986 in 2018 to 13,280 in 2023. The issue has been frequently raised in council meetings, with councillors also calling for more dog-catching vehicles. The corporation currently operates only two. "A proposal to procure an additional vehicle has been sent for approval," the official added. Officials emphasised that expanding ABC infrastructure—along with increased veterinary and transport support—is vital to managing the stray dog population and addressing public health risks such as rabies. A rabies death was reported within city limits last year. Stray Dog Management– Overview Stray Dog Population: 38,348 (as per recent census) Existing ABC Centres: 2 (Sellur and Vellaikal) Surgeries Performed Daily: 20–30 across both centres Total ABC Surgeries in 2024 (So Far): Around 4,000 Target for 2024: 9,000 surgeries Cost per Dog (ABC Programme): ₹1,650 Surgery: ₹1,450 Dog Catching: ₹200 Dog-Catching Vehicles: 2 Proposed New ABC Centre: Near Thangaraj Salai Estimated Cost: ₹50 lakh MSID:: 122131280 413 |
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
HC notice to govt on PIL against tender for stray birth control plan
Chennai: Madras high court has directed the central and state animal welfare boards to respond to a public interest writ petition filed by an animal welfare activist seeking a stay on the tender issued for implementing animal birth control (ABC) for stray dogs. The issue pertains to an instruction issued by the Tamil Nadu govt directing the authorities to take swift action to implement measures for controlling the stray dog population. Following the instruction, a tender worth 5.2 crore was floated in Chennai for implanting microchips in stray and pet dogs to help identify them. According to the petitioner, S Muralidharan, a petition challenging the ABC regulations is already pending in court. Therefore, the govt's move to issue a tender while that case is still pending is against the law. "The ABC Rules, 2023, are already prima facie shown to be ultra vires to the parent Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and contrary to binding judgments, including the constitutional bench judgment of the Supreme Court," he said. He further alleged that the rule mandating the return of the dogs, particularly aggressive dogs, to the same public space would violate the rights of the citizens provided under Article 21 of the Constitution. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo "It would be a financial drain on the exchequer with a failed model that has not yielded results over the past 24 years," he added. Admitting the plea, a vacation bench of Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy and Justice T V Tamilselvi directed the central and state animal welfare boards, as well as the state animal husbandry department, to submit their responses by June 20.
New Indian Express
07-05-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Kerala to roll out mobile ABC unit to tackle infrastructure gaps, public resistance
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a first-of-its-kind initiative to address the challenges in managing the stray dog population, the state government is all set to roll out a mobile ABC Unit. The move comes in the wake of mounting infrastructure challenges and growing public resistance that have left several ABC centres non-operational in the state. Minister for Animal Husbandry J Chinchu Rani told TNIE that the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) has approved the project and the first mobile ABC unit will begin operations immediately. She said that the project would be piloted in Thiruvananthapuram district. 'One of the main challenges we are facing now is lack of ABC centres and the Centre has made the ABC rules more strict making it difficult for implementing such projects. We met the AWBI members and the mobile ABC unit is more cost-effective compared to static ABC centres. The officials were impressed and approved the design,' said J Chinchu Rani. It is learned that four districts in the state lack ABC centres and the Animal Husbandry Department is planning to expand the mobile unit across the state. For setting up an ABC centre as per ABC Rules, the cost will go up to Rs 2 crore. The mobile ABC Unit is being implemented using CSR funds and costs around Rs 25 lakh. 'The Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL) has agreed to fund the project and the mobile unit can be mounted on a truck and stationed in any open space. The area will be cordoned off temporarily and army tends will be used to keep the dogs after sterilization. As per rules, the dog should be given care for the next five days before releasing it at the spot from where it was caught,' said an official of the animal husbandry department. The mobile units will move around in the district and will station at a location for a maximum of 15 days before moving to a new area. 'This innovative approach is designed to overcome both logistical challenges and public concerns.
New Indian Express
06-05-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Kerala: Amid deaths, zero sterilisation in four districts cause for concern
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The recent rabies deaths in Kerala have sparked concerns across the state. However, even more troubling is the poor progress in sterilising stray dogs and rabies vaccination coverage in many districts. Data from the animal husbandry department for the 2024-25 fiscal, the latest, reveals that four districts – Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Idukki and Wayanad – recorded zero sterilisations of stray dogs. Kerala reported around 3.17 lakh dog-bite cases in 2024. Despite the worryingly high number of cases, local bodies across the state are struggling with gaps in infrastructure, stiff resistance from the public against Animal Birth Control (ABC) centres and strict rules and regulations in the ABC Rules to manage the growing stray dog population in the state. As per the data, 15,767 dogs were sterilised and 88,744 dogs vaccinated last year. Animal Husbandry Minister J Chinchu Rani told TNIE that sterilisation was the only practical solution to address the crisis. 'The stiff mandates in ABC Rules are a huge handicap for us. We met the Animal Welfare Board of India and the authorities concerned at the Centre for relaxations. They have agreed to authorise our centres,' she said. Sources said Kerala has around 15 ABC centres, while work on another 15 is nearing completion. Moreover, land to set up five more centres has been identified. 'We are facing stiff resistance from the public. It's a real issue. We are bound to comply with the ABC Rules and, as per rules, after vaccination and sterilisation, we have to release the dogs from where they are caught,' said LSGD Minister M B Rajesh. He said some districts are faring better than other, but there are districts where lack of infrastructure is a real issue. Meanwhile, in the wake of the rabies deaths this year, the animal husbandry department is planning to come up with an advisory to intensify dog vaccinations in the state. 'The vaccination drive will be intensified immediately. We will be issuing strict directives to scale up vaccination of stray dogs. There is lack of consistency in the efforts because of other responsibilities,' Chinchu Rani said.
