Govt delays may compel NGOs to stop sterilisation work: GAF

A GAF delegation comprising K D Row (president), Prakash Kamat (vice president) and Vijayendra Gairola (secretary) interact with Governor Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju at the Lok Bhavan, Dona Paula on Monday.

A delegation from the Goa Animal Federation (GAF) has informed Governor Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju that delayed government reimbursements for the sterilisation of community dogs could compel NGOs concerned to stop sterilisation work in the State.

While also expressed its concerns to the governor over a delay in granting land to an NGO to set up its new sterilisation centre, the GAF have sought the intervention of the governor in resolving the matter, given the dire need for sterilisations of community dogs to avoid man-animal conflict in the State.

A GAF delegation comprising K D Row (president), Prakash Kamat (vice president) and Vijayendra Gairola (secretary) called on Governor Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju at the Lok Bhavan, Dona Paula on Monday.

During their interaction, the delegation submitted a memorandum to the governor stating that the GAF is an association of all major animal welfare organisations (WVS, WAGS, PAWS, Alpha Angels, Goa Humane Trust) operating in Goa. GAF members annually perform over 15,000 sterilisation surgeries and treat over 30,000 animals in the State.

DELAYED REIMBURSEMENT

In its memorandum, the GAF stated that the State government is required to provide funds through Grant-in-Aid to NGOs in Goa, to cover operational cost of sterilisations.

“These funds are supposed to be provided in advance to NGOs, who then provide evidence and certificates showing utilisation of such funds to the Government's Animal Husbandry department,” stated the GAF in its memorandum.

“However, not only are NGOs not getting funds in advance, but after submission of bills, their files are held up for months leading to a situation that NGOs are getting reimbursed up to 2 years after they have conducted sterilisations.”

“NGOs work on donations and such delay in funds by the government is seriously hampering their ability to continue sterilisation work, which would only result in increase community dogs population in Goa.”

DELAY IN GRANTING LAND

The GAF informed the governor that the most critical step in managing community dogs is sterilisation program to control their population.

“Goa, a smaller State has an existing capacity to sterilise 15,000 dogs/year that is created by NGOs through donations raised from public. Recognising that dogs need to be sterilised at double the rate and an aggressive push is required to reduce the community dogs' population as per existing laws, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant earlier this year announced giving a 4-acre land parcel to an NGO on a long-term lease,” stated GAF.

“Under this partnership, the NGO would have spent Rs 20 crores of funds raised through donations to construct a new sterilisation and training centre, increasing the sterilisation capacity of Goa from existing 15,000 to 35,000 sterilisations per year. This would lead to signification reduction in population of community dogs in Goa within next 3-5 years,” stated GAF.

“However, since the announcement by the chief minister, land has not been handed over to the NGO, the offered lease term has been reduced from indicated 20 years to 10 years and onerous conditions added by the animal husbandry department, have made it impossible for the said NGO to set up the sterilisation centre,” the GAF added.