Thousands of students from veterinary colleges across Maharashtra are on an indefinite strike from March 11 against a state government decision allowing para-vets (also known as livestock supervisor) to occupy veterinarians’ posts and work as doctors.
On Monday they sold tea on road in Civil Lines and Ambazari road to protest the decision. The students alleged this decision would put the welfare and safety of animal patients in jeopardy.
The Maharashtra State Gazetted Veterinary Association too has come in support of the agitating veterinary students. Dr Sandip Ingle, president of the gazetted veterinary association, has sent a letter to the principal secretary of the animal husbandry, dairy development and fisheries department. In this letter he has informed the State government that the gazetted veterinary association will be supporting the ongoing protest of students and if a solution was not chalked out before March 22, they too will go on hunger strike.
Of gazetted veterinary association joins this protest then work in all the veterinary hospitals would come to a halt.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra governor CH Vidyasagar Rao has reportedly sought a detailed report on the ongoing issue from vice chancellor of the animal husbandry and fisheries University Dr Ashish Paturkar.
The Maharashtra Government has issued a GR on March 8, allowing diploma-holders to be promoted as livestock development officers (LDO). Degree students are opposing the move