Kupwara locals outraged as veterinary assistants transferred

Srinagar, July 18: The recent transfer of 15 veterinary assistants from north Kashmir’s Kupwara to other districts has sparked an outcry among the locals, as these positions remain unfilled, affecting a district with approximately 1.5 lakh livestock.
Scores of farmers from the area expressed their frustration over the transfer of these officials. They question why these veterinary assistants were moved to areas with significantly less livestock.
Ghulam Mohammad, a local, told Rising Kashmir, “We are not against the transfer of these officials, but they should have filled these posts as our area has a huge livestock population.”
He said they are currently forced to wait several days to get veterinary assistance due to the shortage of officials.
Another resident said Kupwara is predominantly an agriculture-based district, with its economy largely dependent on agriculture and livestock.
The district has a cattle population of 1.5 lakh and in recent years, hundreds of dairy farms have been established under the Integrated Dairy Development Scheme by the Animal Husbandry Department.
However, two recent transfer orders have left around 15 important veterinary assistant surgeon (VAS) posts vacant. Block Kupwara, which has a strength of four VAS posts, is currently manned by only one VAS. Similarly, Sub-district Handwara, which has eight VAS posts, is currently served by only two VASs.
The situation is the same in other blocks of the district. In the border subdivision Karnah, two VASs were transferred leaving the division with no VAS available.
Several dairy farmers have expressed their displeasure with the lack of VASs in the district. They find it difficult to get the services of surgeons for surgeries and complicated cases. Currently, the government is running several important schemes like HADP, IDDS, and IPDP.
However, the deficiency of VASs in the district is severely limiting the penetration of these schemes at the grassroots level, aggrieved locals said.
Chief Animal Husbandry Officer (CAHO) Kupwara, Dr Ashraf acknowledged the problems faced by the people in this border district.
The CAHO said he has already communicated these issues to the concerned directorate and informed the Deputy Commissioner of Kupwara about the situation.