BBMP struggles to get land for ABC centre in Mahadevapura, which has the highest number of stray dogs
The Hindu
BBMP unable to get land for ABC centre in Mahadevapura, highest number of strays in city. Revenue Dept. refused to provide land, despite it being mandatory. BBMP applied for land in Bili Shivalaya area, but tahsildar said application should have been under different rule. Subsequently, another piece of land promised, but tahsildar said it was with Forest Dept. BBMP needs 15,000 sq. m. of land for ABC programme, but Revenue Dept. not giving it. ABC programme hit due to no centre.
Despite the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme being mandatory, the Revenue Department has refused to provide land to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike in Mahadevapura, where an ABC centre was shut about six months ago.
Incidentally, Mahadevapura has the highest number of stray dogs in the city, according to the latest survey. Despite this, the Mahadevapura centre is attached to Yelahanka. It was closed after the land, where the BBMP was a tenant, was sold. The Animal Husbandry Department has been asking the government to grant land for the ABC centre as officials are finding it difficult to work due to transportation issues.
Ravikumar, Director, Animal Husbandry Development, BBMP, said the tahsildar first showed a parcel of land in the Bili Shivalaya area, and the department was more than happy as it was nearly half acre. However, when the BBMP applied for it, the Bengaluru East tahsildar first said the application should have been submitted under a different rule, and later, the Revenue Department said they could not apply again, he said.
Dr. Ravikumar said subsequently, another piece of land was promised. But the tahsildar, at a meeting, said the land could not be given as it is with the Forest Department.
Another official said the BBMP is in need of at least 15,000 square metres of land for the ABC programme, and it is unfortunate that the Revenue Department is not giving the land. With no centre, the ABC programme has taken a hit, the official added.
The All-India level NEET examination was started a few years ago to counter complaints of corruption during the joint entrance examinations held at the State level. AIDSO had warned the authorities that the solution to the menace of corruption was not changing the examination system, but to investigate the corruption and punish the guilty.