The veterinary doctors will hold a silent protest by wearing black badges from February 1 over the apathetic stance of the State Government towards their long-standing demands including pay parity with allopathic doctors, career progression, cadre restructuring and overall transformation of service delivery system in the Veterinary Department.
Odisha Veterinary Service Association (OVSA) president Dr Jadunath Parida and vice president Dr Sankarsan Mahunta said that the State Government has not taken any steps to fulfil demands like one VD for each 8-10 GPs, specialised services for animal healthcare, advance diagnostic facilities at sub-divisional level and establishment of referral hospitals and veterinary forensic labs etc.
In the present scenario, the vets are refrained from the general medicinal practice of the animals due to increased load of diversified works which is directly encouraging the quack practice in the State causing huge economic loss to the animal owners. Also, the vets vehemently oppose being considered as an allied sector of the Agriculture Department, said the duo.
Vets also demand for a separate Veterinary University, Livestock Enterprise Development Corporation and separation of the Animal Resources Department from Fisheries and it be made Animal Health and Welfare Department. Unless the issues are resolved soon, the agitation will be intensified, they warned, adding that they will not hamper any Government work and continue to provide services during the period of wearing black badges.