The Veterinary College established by the State Government in Shimoga in the year 2006 that was expected to promote animal husbandry in Malnad region through study, research and outreach activities is mired in many problems.
Even after seven years of its inception, the college is yet to get recognition from the Veterinary Council of India (VCI) owing to poor infrastructure and shortage of teaching and non-teaching staff. The registration number accorded by VCI and Karnataka Veterinary Council is necessary for the veterinary graduates to get a job. As the college is not recognised by VCI, the registration number has been denied for 57 persons who have pursued BVSc here.
These problems have created apprehension among the students about their future.
A team of experts from VCI that visited the college in February 2013 for inspection has opined that the infrastructure at the college was dismal. In a report submitted to the VCI, the team said that the college did not have sufficient teaching rooms, conference halls, and fodder land and that the instruction livestock farm complex (ILFC) and the teaching veterinary clinical complex (TVCC) were not fully equipped.
The team has expressed displeasure that the college does not have an operation theatre and x-ray facilities for large animals and that the feed and fodder storage space was inadequate. The team also pointed out at the shortage of teaching and non-teaching staff.
Owing to these shortcomings, the VCI has not accorded permanent recognition for the college. The VCI has also directed the Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Bidar not to admit students to the college for the year 2013-14.
Raw deal
Madhusudan A., a final year BVSc student, says “Students who score high marks in second PUC join the BVSc course. A major chunk who have enrolled for the course in this college hail from families of small and marginal farmers in rural areas. It is unfortunate that, owing to technical reasons, the registration number has not been awarded for the 57 candidates who have already completed the course. Without the number, employers in the private sector consider the degree certificate awarded by the university as invalid.”
The State Government has released funds for developing the infrastructure at the college. The students have expressed displeasure that though adequate amount was available for developing the infrastructure, the work was implemented at a slow pace. “It has been planned to construct a three-storey building to host the academic block of the college. The construction had commenced five years ago. It is unfortunate that only the ground floor has been built so far. Two to three departments are functioning from one room at present due to shortage of space,” said a student said on condition of anonymity.
R.B. Dhabale, Dean of Veterinary College, Shimoga, said that the college had to face many hurdles in land acquisition owing to which there was delay in execution of the works. The infrastructure necessary to get recognition from VCI will be put in place fast. The plan to construct a permanent building for the TVCC is ready and the work will commence shortly.
On the shortage of teaching staff he said that the Government has deputed 29 veterinary officers serving with the Department of Animal Husbandry to the college of which nine have already reported for work. The vacant posts will be filled at the earliest, he added.
The students boycotted the classes on September 4 and staged a protest demanding the State Government to take initiatives to upgrade infrastructure at the college necessary to get recognition from VCI.
