Sterilisation of stray dogs has been slowed in many of the corporations in the State because of disparity in maximum rate offered by the government. The animal birth control programme is being implemented with the funding of the State government.
After conducting surgeries, the respective local bodies would claim 50 per cent of the cost from Animal Welfare Board of India. As per the programme, the local bodies would select agencies concerned on tender basis to carry out physical sterilisation of stray dogs.
However, the bidders could not quote more than the rate fixed by the government. Although there was not much issue over the implementation of programme until recently, it came to a virtual halt in corporations since the new rate was announced for town panchayats.
While the State government has fixed the maximum rate for sterilisation of a dog at Rs. 700 in town panchayats, it has not effected any change in the rate in corporation limits which is Rs. 435 a dog.
It has resulted in a lull in sterilisation of stray dogs in corporations, including Tiruchi. T. Mariappan, Corporation Health Officer, told The Hindu that the drive had been halted temporarily as no one had come forward to conduct sterilisation surgeries at the current rate.
The issue had been taken to the notice of senior public health officials of Directorate of Municipal Administration. New tenders would be invited from the interested agencies once the new rates were fixed by the government, he added.
