GOVERNMENT OF ASSAM.
The Governor and the Minister of Local Self-Government.
Extract from the proceedings of the Government of Assam in the Local Self-Govern-
ment Department, No. 488 L.S.G., dated the 1th September 1921.
READ—
The Report of the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, Assam, on the Administra-
tion of the Civil Veterinary Department, Assam, for the year 1920-21 and the review
thereon of the Director of Land Records and Agriculture, Assam.
RESOLUTION.
THE sanctioned strength of the veterinary establishment was increased during
the year by seven Assistants, but unfortunately five officers were lost to the province—
four by resignation and one by dismissal—whilst only three new recruits were obtained,
and the actual staff was therefore less by two officers at the end than at the beginning
of the year. Mr. McSwiney discusses this regrettable result at length. Service in
the department has hitherto failed generally to attract candidates of suitable educa-
tional qualifications or to retain them in uncongenial circumstances after appoint-
ment. The Government of Assam trust that the improvement effected in the pay and
prospects of Assistants and Inspectors during the year will remedy this state of affairs.
2. The decrease in the actual strength of the staff was particularly disappointing
in view of the prevalence of disease, and especially of rinderpest, during the year. In
Sylhet alone the death of nearly 10,000 cattle from rinderpest was reported, and the
total mortality from contagious diseases reported throughout the province rose from
39,000 to 47,000. The value of the assistance rendered by the Veterinary Depart-
ment in combating epidemics, and the rapid growth of confidence in its methods on
the part of the owners of cattle are, it may be hoped, shown by the increase in the
number of cattle inoculated against rinderpest from 11,000 in 1918-19 to 22,000 in
1919-20 and to 43,600 in 1920-21. The number of cases treated in hospitals and on
tour also increased, and Mr. McSwiney is able to report considerable improvement
in the work of the Assistants.
3. Real progress, however, can only be hoped for through the hearty co-operation
and active interest of the Local Boards, under whom the greater number of Veterinary
Assistants are working and whose duty it is to control and supervise the work of
these officers in other than purely professional matters. Government have recently
pointed out that managing committees have not yet been appointed for Local Board
veterinary dispensaries ; they have urged the necessity for frequent and effective
inspection of these dispensaries and of the general work of Veterinary Assistants ;
and they have suggested the formation of Veterinary Sub-committees of the Boards for
the general supervision of veterinary work. They trust that these remarks will
receive the careful consideration of all Boards.
4. Mr. McSwiney suggests that insufficient use is made at stations where veteri-
nary hospitals exist of the provision in the Act for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals which enables a magistrate in case of a conviction for cruelty to order the
animal to be detained at a veterinary hospital until it is cured and the charges
incurred to be recovered from the owner. His remarks are commended to the
attention of magistrates at such stations.
5. Government have noted with pleasure the names of the officers commended for
good work, and acknowledge their indebtedness to Mr. Harris for his zealous and
efficient administration of the Department.
ORDERED that a copy of this Resolution, of the report without appendices, the
review of the Director of Land Records and Agriculture, Assam, and the report on the
Veterinary administration of the Manipur State be published in the Assam Gazette
for general information.
By order of the Government of Assam,
A. W. BOTHAM,
Chief Secretary to the Government of Assam.
A. S. P. 0. (R & A.) No. 15-800-9-9-1921-D. C, N.