Panaji: In a scathing attack, the Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao on Friday stated that incompetent BJP government is trying to achieve fake ‘first rank’, which it succeeded in ‘Har Ghar Jal’, in stray dog sterilization and hastening to complete the process.
Congress leader Yuri Alemao was speaking to media persons after attending a meeting for the effective implementation of a sterilization program for stray dogs.
“Several houses in the state are not getting tap water, despite this Chief Minister Pramod Sawant succeeded to earn the unique distinction of becoming the first ‘Har Ghar Jal’ State in the country. Now this incompetent government is trying to achieve another ‘certificate’ in sterilization of stray dogs, that too without taking NGOs and other stakeholders in confidence,” Alemao said.
According to him, NGOs have valuable expertise and resources that could support the program’s success.
He said that the BJP government is not serious about sterilization of stray dogs and have failed to utilize funds.
“The lethargic approach of the Animal Husbandry department to implement the sterilization program is clearly visible. It has failed to utilize the funds, hardly 58 lakhs out of 3 crores are utilized,” he pointed out, adding there are not enough staff and plans to address this issue.
He said giving rupees 50 as Honorarium to dog catchers is a mockery of this program. “Do you think people will catch dogs for Rs 50? Government spends crores of rupees on events, but fails to give attractive remuneration where it is required,” he said.
“I feel along with two main centers in both districts, there should be some facility constituency wise, which can monitor this task. The local body may not have sufficient staff to deploy for this job. Hence, the Department of Animal Husbandry either has to entrust this job also to NGOs or they will have to fund the local bodies to engage suitable persons for this job,” he said.
