MARGAO
In a move that was expected to revive the long-stalled Animal Birth Control (ABC) program, the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) finally inked a fresh Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with an NGO in March 2024. However, instead of resolving the crisis, the agreement has sparked controversy and exposed deep-rooted systemic issues within the civic body.
The controversy began with the manner in which the MoU was executed. The MMC failed to float an Expression of Interest (EoI) before entering into an agreement with the existing NGO, raising concerns about transparency and due process.
Yet, a year later, the ABC programme remains stuck in limbo. Though the agreement was signed by then Chief Officer Gaurish Sankwalkar, it was never followed by concrete action on the ground. As a result, the programme has failed to take off in both letter and spirit, leaving citizens grappling with a growing stray dog menace on their own.
A key operational hurdle lies in the absence of a functional dog-catching van. The civic body is obligated to provide this essential vehicle to the NGO for field operations. Instead, the van lies stranded in a garage. In its absence, residents are being told to catch and transport stray dogs themselves to the shelter at Sonsodo.
Adding to the complications, the NGO has alleged that the MMC has not released payments for sterilization work carried out over the past year. The Council, however, maintains that no payments can be cleared without certification from a veterinary doctor verifying the procedures conducted by the NGO. This standoff has only deepened the paralysis of the ABC programme in the commercial capital, with no resolution in sight.
