Govt preparedness and infrastructure for disease prevention is weak – Dr. Tanwar

The CPI(M) has slammed the government for the government’s relaxation in the treatment and vaccination of lumpi disease. CPI(M) state secretariat member Dr. Kuldeep Singh Tanwar said that the government has formally declared Lumpi as an epidemic but the government has completely failed in the speed with which steps should have been taken to prevent it.

Dr. Tanwar said that the cases of lumpy skin disease have increased two and a half times in a week in the state and the disease has spread from 5 districts to 9 districts. On August 17, 134 animals had died due to lumpi in the state, which has reached 359 on August 23. He said that the structure of the government to deal with this epidemic is very weak. Hundreds of posts are lying vacant at various levels in the Animal Husbandry Department. The government is not taking any steps to fill them.

Dr. Tanwar said that like covid, lumpy disease has also exposed the weak health infrastructure of the government. The way there was chaos in the treatment and prevention of people during Kovid, today the condition is worse in Lampi. Due to lack of staff, thousands of people’s animals are going to death. The government is neither able to provide adequate treatment to the animals nor is it able to get the vaccination done. Dr. Tanwar said that the entire pressure of shortage of staff is falling on the field staff of the department, on whom the high officials are putting pressure on one side and on the other side they are facing the anger of the people.

Dr. Tanwar called the statement of the Animal Husbandry Minister ridiculous in which the Animal Husbandry Minister proudly said that he has given one lakh each to every district. Dr. Tanwar said that the Animal Husbandry Minister may not know that there are 25 lakh animals in the state and the Minister has been giving a favor to the cattle owners by giving Rs. 2 per animal.

Dr. Tanwar has warned the government in a stern tone that if the government does not take timely steps, then the situation will become uncontrollable. He has demanded that the government should immediately fill the vacant posts in the Animal Husbandry Department, assuming an emergency. At the same time, provision should also be made of sufficient funds for this epidemic.

Dr. Tanwar said that at this time vehicles should be arranged for the staff or budget should be made for them if they drive private vehicles. They should be given a special allowance for rendering services on holidays