By:Himvani
Intervening into menace of stray animals Himachal Pradesh High court has directed the state to ensure compliance of court order issued to it earlier and today. The hearing in this case till August 14, 2015 today directed the state to file fresh status report within next three months.
Division bench of Himachal Pradesh High Court comprising of Mr Justice Rajiv Sharma and Mr Justice Sureshwar Thakur today said that all functionaries and officials should again comply with the court order.
Court today also directed all the Urban Local Bodies and Panchayati Raj Institutions to release the necessary funds within a period of three months from today for the purpose of construction of Gosadans to shelter cows and stray animals.
Court also directed the DCs to take a stern action against the
functionaries of Panchayati Raj Institutions, if they fail to comply
with the order or not release necessary funds as these bodies are
bound to do so under Section 11-A of the H.P. Panchayati Raj Act,
1994.
The court also asked the Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue) of state to direct all the DCs and all SDOs to transfer land for construction of Gosadans within 15 days of receipt of request in this regard.
The counsel for the state said that so far about 120 Panchayats have
already forwarded the proposals to Zila Parishads and Panchayat
Samities for providing funds under 13 th Finance Commissions and funds have been given by these agencies to 74 Panchayats.
In the state till so far Zila Parishads have released an amount of Rupees 1,40,07,285 and Panchayat Samities have released an amount of Rupees 26,84,877 for construction of Gosadans.
The court has also directed the State Electricity Board and IPH departments to release electrical and water connection to Gaushalas/ Gosadans/Shelters at domestic rates.
Moreover filling the status report over this matter in the court on
April 30, 2015 Chief Secretary said in an affidavit the provisions of
the Prohibition of Cow Slaughter Act, 1979 are being implemented
scrupulously.
He also said that 150 cases have been registered under Section 114 of the H.P. Police Act and under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act-1960 with effect from Jan, 2014 to Mar, 2015.
State also stated that it treated about 1903 sick stray cattle by the
Animal Husbandry Department in last one year in addition, 368 camps or meetings and two calf rallies have been organized and 5000 pamphletshave been distributed
