SILCHAR, March 2 - Veterinary services in the State have been hit severely due to largescale shortage of doctors.
According to sources, as many as 113 posts of veterinary officers are lying vacant across the State, of which 36 posts are of sub-divisional veterinary officers, 56 district veterinary or equivalent officers, 10 posts of joint director and 5 deputy director posts are yet to be filled up.
Interestingly, the post of Joint Director of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary in Silchar region, which covers three districts of Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi, is looked after by Dr Himadri Sen, the Sub-Divisional Veterinary Officer, who is also the Principal incharge of the School of Veterinary Sciences and also the Rinderpest Eradication Officer (REO) of Cachar district.
On the other hand, sources said that because of the staff crunch, the foot and mouth disease prevention scheme for cattle or the insurance of livestock under the National Livestock Mission has also been affected.
Moreover, out of 22 poultry farms under the State Government, as many as 11 are lying barren and buildings of the Department spread across large acres of land in Silchar are almost in an abandoned condition.
In the words of Dr Zoremkhung Hrangchal, District Veterinary Officer of Cachar, �due to shortage of staff, the veterinary officers are performing additional tasks. The mobile dispensaries and district diagnostic laboratories are also suffering since the doctors are occupied with multiple responsibilities.�
He added that the duck-rearing farm at Silcoorie, on the outskirts of Silchar, has become defunct due to fund crisis. He, however, hoped that the vacant posts would be filled up soon.
