http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Govt-yet-to-set-up-animal-welfare-board/articleshow/15565314.cms
PATNA: Despite the Centre's directive in October 2008 to constitute state animal welfare board (SAWB) within three months, Bihar government has failed to set up the body even in 45 months.
Acting on a Supreme Court order dated August 6, 2008, the Union government issued the directive to all the state governments to constitute their SAWB within three months. The main objective was to promote animal welfare and protect animals from unnecessary suffering as well as to ensure proper enforcement of the provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act, 1960, in the states.
The office of the principal accountant general (PAG), Bihar, while conducting an integrated audit of the animal and fisheries resources department in August 2011, also raised the issue of non-constitution of the SAWB. While replying to the PAG, the state government stated in November 2011 that the constitution of the SAWB was under process.
As the state government failed to constitute the board even by the end of December 2011, the PAG, in its audit report dated February 22, 2012, termed the non-constitution of the SAWB by Bihar government as "total violation of the Supreme Court's directives."
When contacted, Bihar animal and fisheries resources minister Giriraj Singh told TOI that there was a need of such board in Bihar and the state government would set up the same.
"I would inquire from the department officials about the status of constitution the board once the secretariat opens after the Eid festival," the minister said.
The PAG, in its report, has also raised concern over "inactiveness and non-functioning" of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCAs), a district-level statutory body constituted under the provisions of Section 38 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
The Union government, vide a notification dated March 26, 2001, asked all the state governments to establish SPCAs in every district within six months. These societies were intended to support the government and local bodies in enforcing the provisions of the Act.
Scrutiny of the department records by the auditors revealed that the SPCAs, under the chairmanship of the district magistrates, were established in all districts, except Rohtas, between January, 2008 to June, 2010. "It was also observed that in the test-checked districts, these societies were inactive and non-functional ever since their establishment," the PAG (Audit) R B Sinha has said in his report.
Acting on a Supreme Court order dated August 6, 2008, the Union government issued the directive to all the state governments to constitute their SAWB within three months. The main objective was to promote animal welfare and protect animals from unnecessary suffering as well as to ensure proper enforcement of the provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act, 1960, in the states.
The office of the principal accountant general (PAG), Bihar, while conducting an integrated audit of the animal and fisheries resources department in August 2011, also raised the issue of non-constitution of the SAWB. While replying to the PAG, the state government stated in November 2011 that the constitution of the SAWB was under process.
As the state government failed to constitute the board even by the end of December 2011, the PAG, in its audit report dated February 22, 2012, termed the non-constitution of the SAWB by Bihar government as "total violation of the Supreme Court's directives."
When contacted, Bihar animal and fisheries resources minister Giriraj Singh told TOI that there was a need of such board in Bihar and the state government would set up the same.
"I would inquire from the department officials about the status of constitution the board once the secretariat opens after the Eid festival," the minister said.
The PAG, in its report, has also raised concern over "inactiveness and non-functioning" of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCAs), a district-level statutory body constituted under the provisions of Section 38 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
The Union government, vide a notification dated March 26, 2001, asked all the state governments to establish SPCAs in every district within six months. These societies were intended to support the government and local bodies in enforcing the provisions of the Act.
Scrutiny of the department records by the auditors revealed that the SPCAs, under the chairmanship of the district magistrates, were established in all districts, except Rohtas, between January, 2008 to June, 2010. "It was also observed that in the test-checked districts, these societies were inactive and non-functional ever since their establishment," the PAG (Audit) R B Sinha has said in his report.
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