Chennai
According to the GO passed in 2018, the State recruited 818 veterinary graduates to serve as assistant surgeons for 11 months. Now with the agreement coming to an end, the government is yet to decide on the continuity of the veterinary science graduates.
As there is no proper job assurance in the State, more than 40 graduates moved to private veterinary practice, however, 90 per cent of them want to continue in service as private jobs have reduced due to economic slowdown, said a veterinary surgeon serving in the delta region.
The delay in issuing an extension or regularising the temporary staff will only lead to unhealthy malpractices in the department, the surgeon noted. Considering the salary expenditure, the State government chose to recruit the VAS on temporary basis with a basic pay of Rs 40,000 while field veterinarians received Rs 59,000. The role of VAS is to assist the State animal husbandry department, which executes the free milch cow schemes, free goat and country chicken poultry scheme.
The veterinary surgeons play a major role in the annual vaccination drive for foot and mouth disease conducted ahead of the monsoon, mostly during the first week of October.
Controlling epidemic outbreaks like anthrax, leptospirosis and blue tongue is a crucial job of VAS along with the State government veterinarians, said animal husbandry department insiders, adding that it is a serious administrative lapse on the government by delaying the issue.
There is a need for veterinary assistant surgeons for every taluk and village in TN to continue the welfare schemes related to livestock, sources said.
Relieving the VAS will not hinder labour issue as the job is temporary for 11 months and it is for the policy makers to decide, said Animal Husbandry Department sources.
When contacted, State animal husbandry secretary K Gopal said that the Statewould decide on the issuepertaining to veterinary assistant surgeons.
Visit news.dtnext.in to explore our interactive epaper!
Download the DT Next app for more exciting features!
Click here for iOS
Click here for Android