25th December, (Odisha Tazanews) BBSR :-> Demanding for complete reformation of the department, parity with medical doctors, DACP and Non practicing allowance, all the service veterinarians of the state are going for mass leave from 4th Jan 2023 ,said Dr Jadunath Parida, President ,Odisha Veterinary Service Association (OVSA) and Dr Sankarsan Mahunta, General Secretary, OVSA today at a press meet.
When the state has been selected as one of the states in India for one health program of United Nations, to cover human and Veterinary treatment under one umbrella so that the zoonotic diseases can be prevented from the root, there the responsibility of the veterinarians of the state has been multiplied manifold. In such circumstances the apathetic stance of the government towards the genuine demands of OVSA, has demoralized the veterinarians to a great extent affecting their working ability and interest there off.
Further it is note worthy that currently about 1300 doctors are shouldering the responsibility of 1910 vets of the state as the rest posts are lying vacant. Also about 40% of the supporting posts are lying vacant in the department, which has lead to undue pressure upon the vets. They are even forced to work beyond working hours and even on holidays to cope with the expectations of the livestock owners.
In the yester years all the central pay commissions have recommended to maintain parity between medicos and vets in respect of pay scale and carrier progression on the basis of educational background and nature of job. Though the central Government and many of the other states have adopted the recommendations of the CPCs, Odisha has preferred to deviate in this aspect despite 15 years of supplications now.
Whereas the Government takes transformation of health and education sectors with much seriousness, negligence to the speechless animals has been described as unfortunate by the association. Honourable Minister, Agriculture, Farmers Empowerment, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Sj Ranendra Pratap Swain, the Chief Secretary Sj Pradeep Kumar Jena the Principal Secretary,
Fisheries and Animal Resources Development department have discussed the issues several times with the association and assured to fulfill the demands, there has been no significant Development till date. Thus in such demoralized state of mind the Veterinarians have expressed their inability to serve beyond 4th January 2024 and resort to mass leave if the Government continues their stepmotherly attitude towards them.
