Veterinary association ready to take up ABC programme in Kerala

High Court had ordered stopping of fund transfer to Kudumbashree Mission

The Kerala chapter of the Indian Veterinary Association (IVA) has said it is willing to take up animal birth control (ABC) programme in the State after the High Court issued an order about a fortnight ago barring local self-government bodies from transferring funds to the Kudumbashree Mission, which had earlier been engaged by the State government to carry out the programme. The proposal assumes significance amidst allegations that the Thrikkakara municipality in Ernakulam district resorted to engaging dog-catchers to kill strays. The allegations are still under investigation. Municipal chairperson Ajitha Thankappan of the United Democratic Front (UDF) denied the allegations. She said she came to know of the alleged killing of dogs through news reports. But the Opposition has accused the ruling coalition of not following rules governing the control of stray population. V.K.P. Mohankumar, general secretary of IVA Kerala, said on Monday that the veterinary association was in the process of forming a society based in Thrissur to take up the ABC programme. The IVA is an association of professional veterinarians and there are around 4,000 members. The proposed society would have to set up facilities and form a team of veterinarians to take up the programme, he said.