Extract from the Proceedings of the Chief Commissioner of Assam in the Revenue
Department, No. 35152R., dated the 25th August 1914.
READ—
The Report of the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, Assam, on the administration
of the Civil Veterinary Department, Assam, for the year 1913-14 and the Review thereon
of the Director, Department of Land .Records and Agriculture, Assam.
RESOLUTION.
DURING the year the staff of the Department was strengthened by the appoint-
ment of nine Veterinary Assistants, but there was little improvement in the number and
qualifications of the candidates who came forward for appointment and there are still
vacancies in the cadre to be filled. The increase in the number and value of the scholar-
ships at the Bengal Veterinary College open to candidates from Assam did not produce
the result expected, and it is clear that the pay and prospects of the service must be
made more attractive. The pay of Veterinary Assistants will be substantially
increased during the current year, and the Chief Commissioner trusts that there will
then be no longer any difficulty in securing the services of qualified men for the
Department.
2. In spite of the deficiency in the staff, considerable progress was made.
Fortunately disease was less prevalent than in 1912-13, and the number of deaths
from contagious diseases fell from 45,542 to 29,471, a decrease for which a reduction in
the outbreaks of the rinderpest scourge was mainly responsible. The returns are
not absolutely reliable and some time must elapse before the people generally fully
appreciate the work of the Department and realize the importance of giving com-
plete and accurate returns of the outbreaks of disease and their resultant mortality.
The addition to the reporting agencies which were referred to in the Resolution on
the Report of the previous year undoubtedly led to speedier and more complete in-
formation of the occurrence of disease. The value of the inoculation performed by the
Veterinary staff was demonstrated conclusively by the fact that of the total number
of 26,325 animals inoculated only 332 died. The corresponding figures in the previous
year were 30,439 and 898. The Officiating Chief Commissioner regrets to hear that
much of the debility seen in the cattle in the plains is due to liver fluke disease, for
which no cure is known.
It is with great satisfaction that the Chief Commissioner learns of the growing
appreciation of. and confidence in, the work of the staff which is indicated by the
increase of 19,554 in the number of animals treated by the Veterinary Assistants on
tour.
3. The results of the cattle shows held during the year were disappointing and no
further steps have yet been taken to improve the breed of cattle owing to the fact
that the report of the Special Officer deputed by the Government of Eastern Bengal
and Assam to enquire into the subject has not yet been published. The provision of
grazing grounds has received the attention of Government, and the importance of
reserving suitable areas for this purpose has been impressed upon local officers.
4. The thanks of the Chief Commissioner are due to Mr. Harris, the Superintend-
ent of the Civil Veterinary Department, and to Mr. Hickey who acted for him when he
went on leave. These two officers together spent 217 days on tour. The work of the
Inspectors was satisfactory and Colonel Gurdon has read with pleasure the names of the
Assistants who have been commended for their industry and efficiency. He regrets to
learn that there are one or two Assistants who take no interest in their work and who
are losing the professional knowledge they have acquired. These men should be
closely supervised during the current year, and if they show no improvement the
question of their removal from the Department will be considered.
ORDERED that a copy of this Resolution, of the Report and the Review of
the Director, Department of Land Records and Agriculture, thereon be published
in the Assam Gazette for general information.
By order of the Chief Commissioner of Assam,
B. C. ALLEN,
Off g. Chief Secretary to the Chief Commissioner of Assam.
A. S.P. 0. (R. &Agri.) No, 32—950—29-8-1914—D. C. N.