Indian Express 7.12.2009
Gender bias? VMC to pay NGOs only for female dogs’ sterilisation
In A bizarre move, the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) has decided not to give any financial support to the non-government organisations (NGOs) for sterilising male dogs in the city. This assumes significance as the NGOs will get Rs 460 for sterilising a female dog under the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme.
The contract signed by the NGOs, a copy of which is with The Indian Express, says the organisations entrusted with the task of sterilising stray dogs have been categorically told that they would not be given any financial assistance in case they sterilise a male dog.
The official in-charge of ABC programme, Mangesh Jaiswal, said the contract was made in consultation with the NGOs, which have been awarded the contract. Ruling out any “gender bias” in the contract, he said: “It was decided that the organisations will take financial aid from the VMC for sterilising female dogs. And for the male dogs they sterilise, they will have to claim the amount from the Animal Welfare Board of India under Ministry of Environment and Forests.”
For the organisations taking part in the ABC programme, their job remains the same.
“When we catch dogs for sterilisation, we don’t give preference to their gender, as for us it is a non-profit activity. But at the same time, we often end up catching more male dogs. Moreover, we are not getting any financial help from the Animal Welfare Board of India. We are managing the programme with our own funds,” said Dr Pratibha Panchal, administrator VCARE, which has also been given contract by the VMC.
