The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) has nominated its representative to the managing committee of the People for Animals Dehradun unit to check the functioning of this body.
According to sources, this step has been taken following repeated complaints from animal lovers and locals about irregularities in the functioning of this particular unit. A letter sent to the PFA Dehradun secretary by the AWBI secretary Uma Rani states that the board is also empowered to cooperate and coordinate the work of associations established for the purpose of preventing and protecting unnecessary pain cause to the birds and animals and also to provide financial assistance to such organisations.
The PFA, Dehradun was recognised by AWBI in 2007 and the Animal Welfare Division, GoI and AWBI had released grant-in-aid under various schemes to the organisation. As per the terms and conditions for recognition, the AWBI shall have the right to nominate any of its members or any person to serve as member on the managing or executive committee of the organisation and the affairs of the organisation shall be open for periodical scrutiny of activities and inspection of records by any person nominated by the board on its behalf.
Exercising its powers, the AWBI has nominated the State Animal Husbandry deputy director and officer in-charge of Uttarakhand Animal Welfare Board, Dr Ashutosh Joshi in the managing committee and executive committee of the organisation and the PFA Dehradun secretary has been requested to send notice of its meetings and activity reports to the AWBI representative and board’s office.
Dr Joshi stated that after receiving this letter, he would discuss his role with the persons concerned. “PFA is the only NGO working for dogs and has a dog shelter with a veterinarian in the State capital. Presently, I believe that my role will be to help improve the functioning of this unit by playing a proactive role,” he added.
According to sources, the functioning of the PFA Dehradun unit has been affected by various organisational factors and the authorities intend to help improve its functioning of the unit.