The New Indian Express             12.07.2013

Stray dogs have become a menace in many parts of the city | K Shijith

With the rising number of stray dogs in the city, Corporation authorities have decided to speed up matters regarding the proposed animal rehabilitation and adoption centre project, at the Lok Adalat sitting held in the city the other day. As the Animal Birth Control (ABC) measures have proven ineffective in controlling the population of stray dogs in the city residents are the victims to the aggression by these canines.

As many as 15 stray dog attacks are being reported daily on an average from various parts of the city such as Medical College premises, Malaparamba, West Hill, East Hill, Chungam and Bhatt Road. Local authorities failed to take measures stating that stray dogs cannot be killed according to the Animal Welfare Board. However, with the new project charted out civic authorities are hoping that it will prove to be an effective solution to curb the stray dog population.

According to the project guidelines, local authorities will entrust NGOs to set up an animal rehabilitation centre for which they will be provided with `2 lakh. Funds will also be provided to set up kennels and provide food and vaccination. The Calicut Chamber of Commerce has already approached the Corporation with their plan to set up an NGO called ‘Calicut Animal Lover’s Club’ to control the stray dog population without killing them. P T S Unni, President of the Calicut Chamber of Commerce and Industries, says, “We have approached the Kozhikode Corporation for a suitable land to set up the centre. Authorities have assured that they will look into it.

We are hoping that our plans will take off in two months time.” The Calicut Animal Lovers Club will function as a rehabilitation- cum-adoption centre and also aims at changing people’s attitude towards stray dogs by promoting them as community dogs. Chief Veterinary Officer John Kattakkayam says, “The first step by the Corporation should be to make licensing compulsory for all dog owners. Many owners are seen abandoning their dogs. This can be avoided if the licensing system is implemented properly.

Secondly, vaccination should be made compulsory and they should introduce an electronic chip system as well. This will help in keeping a tab on the dogs in the city.” Corporation Health Standing Committee chairperson Janamma Kunjunni said, “The Animal Birth Control is ineffective here since we do not have any dog handlers. A few NGO’s have approached us already. Preliminary discussions are over.”

The Times of India              11.07.2013

Nagpur Municipal Corporation to clean all water tanks before summer

NAGPUR: After delaying for years, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has decided to clean and repair all 46 overhead and underground water tanks from which water is supplied to the city. While announcing this, chairman of water works committee SudhakarKohle also spoke out against social organization Aakrosh alleging it was engaged in misguiding the citizens about 24x7 water supply project.

Kohle said cleaning and repairing works on tanks will be executed through private water operator Orange City Water Private Limited (OCW). "Works will be undertaken at the tanks in a phased manner. Schedule for tank-wise work has been approved. Works will commence from July 13 and conclude by February 14. Cleaning will take only one day and citizens have to bear shut down on that particular day," he said.

Asked about high water bills in Lalganj area, Kohle admitted mistakes in bills. "I have asked such bills be corrected. But stopping work is not a solution and it was done following misguiding by Aakrosh activists," he said. Former chairman of standing committee Pravin Bhisikar too admitted problems with bills but said demands to reduce bills without justification was not proper.

OCW said, "works have been stopped on temporary basis in only one lane of Chakna Square, Lalganj area, having 40 to 45 house connections due to some misunderstanding and false propaganda created by a few people. There is no controversy in water bills charged to slum residents of Lalganj area."