Gujrat CM Rupani has privatized veterinary services

Veterinarian in Gujarat are unhappy with a decision by the government to privatized veterinary services. Actually, the Government of Gujarat has privatized the Mobile Veterinary Dispensary Service (10 MVD). The Government of Gujarat has entrusted the operations of 10 MVDs to private company GVK-EMRI from June 1, 2020. Let us tell you that till now the 10 MVD service providing mobile service of animal health care, vaccination etc. to every village of Gujarat was being operated by the State Animal Husbandry Department.

In Gujarat State, 43% of the posts of Veterinary Officer around 1151 vacancies are vacant. As per the norms there should be one veterinary clinic for every 5000 animals. Against which there is one veterinary hospital for 27 thousand animals in Gujarat.

5,000 veterinarians with B.V.Sc. A.H. degrees are disappointed. Despite Gujarat being an agriculture and animal husbandry based state, the BJP-led government has cut 85 per cent of jobs in the recruitment of veterinary officers, which doctors say is shocking for animal husbandry.

In this connection President Indian Veterinary Association Dr Chirantan Kadiyan also requested to the Chief minister of Gujarat to intervene in this matter and direct the animal husbandry authority to continue operation through department only.

Veterinarian Dr. Shamshad Ali working in 10 MVD service of Gujarat government told that earlier doctors were getting Rs 45,000 per month for 8 hours duty, but GVK-EMRI increased duty hours to 12 hours and the salary has been reduced to Rs 40,000. He told that when the government had advertised for it, then it was clearly stated that this service will be operated by the state animal husbandry department for 11 months. But now the government has suddenly handed over the operation of this service to a private company in the middle of the contract period. In 10 MVD service, around 460 veterinarians are working on contract basis across in Gujarat.