What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
It was a harrowing ordeal for Hastimal Gurjar, a cow herder in Jalore, as he ran from pillar to post at a local government veterinary centre looking for a nurse to treat his ailing cow
It was a harrowing ordeal for Hastimal Gurjar, a cow herder in Jalore, as he ran from pillar to post at a local government veterinary centre looking for a nurse to treat his ailing cow, which was suffering from lumpy skin disease. But all his efforts went in vain as the veterinary employees were on strike on Tuesday.
Gurjar said, “This is a difficult time in our area due to the lumpy virus. We went to the hospital to call the veterinary nurse but he wasn’t working today. Finally, we had to call a private vet. It is important for the government employees and nursing staff not to go on a strike at this crucial time.”
Gurjar is not alone. There are many like him, who are facing a similar plight. Rajasthan is reeling under an acute crisis of lumpy virus, which has claimed more than 35,000 cows till now across the state. Despite the grave situation, the veterinary staff of the Rajasthan Animal Husbandry Department is boycotting work.
Around 10,000 veterinary employees were off-duty on Tuesday as their 11-point demand “have not been fulfilled by the state government”. This resulted in the closure of 6,500 government veterinary centers in the state, most of which are situated in rural areas. The veterinary employees are not doctors but the fourth-grade staff (mostly nurses), who staged a month-long protest two months back in Rajasthan to pitch their demands. They launched a fresh agitation on Monday.
Ajay Siani, the president of Rajasthan Pashu Chikitsa Karamchari Sangh, said, “When we were on a protest last time, the government had assured us that they would accept our demands but nothing happened. Around 10 per cent of the state’s economy is dependent on animal husbandry. While 60 per cent of posts of veterinary doctors are vacant, it is the veterinary employee who is handling this department. But our demands have not been met.”
The demands of the employees include changing the name of their designation, establishing Veterinary Nursing Council, and launching of a Diploma in Veterinary. These demands cannot be fulfilled in one order and a long procedure has to be followed which the government said will be carried out soon.
A meeting was held between the veterinary employees and Animal Husbandry Secretary PC Kishan on Tuesday. The New Indian tried to contact Kishan, but he didn’t take the call. Sources said during the meeting, the government tried to convince the striking staff to call off their strike but the stalemate continues.
