Concerned over shortage of veterinary doctors, Minister of State for Agriculture Sanjeev Balyan on Monday said it is considering amendments to the 32-year-old Indian Veterinary Council Act in order to ease norms for setting up of private vet colleges in the country. At present, there are about 52 veterinary colleges in India and out of which, two are private-owned.
“We have proposed amendments to the Indian Veterinary Council Act (VCI) Act, 1984 to address the problem being faced in opening new colleges,” Balyan told reporters here.
More number of colleges, both public and private ones, are required to address the growing shortage of veterinary doctors in the country, he said while sharing the Govt’s achievements in this field. Balyan, who holds a PhD degree in veterinary science, said the land requirement norms mentioned in the existing law for setting up ofa new veterinary college is not possible to adhere due to the growing urbanisation.