7
PART V.—EXPENDITURE OF THE DEPARTMENT.
51. Table XIV(a) shows the total expenditure of the department as furnished
by the Comptroller, Assam, to be Rs. 1,43,707-13-6. The expenditure of the depart-
ment in the previous year was Its. 1,43,323-3-10.
52. The Local Boards in Assam incurred the following expenditure in connection
with Veterinary charges. These figures are furnished by the Boards and are included
in the above total.
Subordinate Establishment
Hospitals and Dispensaries
Breeding Operation
Fairs and Shows ...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Rs.
53,310
8,240
814
81
a.
2
12
4
2
p.
10
10
10
0
PART VI.—GENERAL REMARKS.
63. It was with deep regret that the Department learned of the death, on the
26th March 1923, of the Hon'ble Rai Bahadur Ghanasyam Barua, b.l., Minister
for Local Self-Government. He took a great interest in the work and welfare of this
department and closely watched and studied its development. He appreciated the
many difficulties the Department has to combat with in its efforts to reduce conta-
gious and non-contagious diseases and also, in the improvement of the general conditions
in which animals are kept in this province. He recognised that a strong and healthy
breed of cattle would be a valuable asset to the country.
54. The general progress made in former years was well maintained during the
year under report. Many demands for assistance could not be complied with. The
Department is doing a good work and one that is surely needed but we have now
reached the limit of our capacity and unless the cadre can be increased we cannot
increase the scope of our work which must remain limited.
55. An adequate supply of serum required for the province was received from
the Imperial Bacteriological Laboratory during the year. The following table
shows the doses received this year as compared with previous years : —
—
1
Rinderpest ... ... ... ... ...
Anthrax ... ... ... ... ...
Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia ... ... ...
1923-24.
3
54,760
8,000
5,020
1022-23.
3
73,000
5,000
2,000
1021-22.
4
138,000
Nil
Nil
1920-21.
5
176,000
6,000
3,000
56. The number of cruelty cases sent by Magistrates to the Hospitals at
Gauhati, Shillong and Silchar was 39, 22 and nil respectively making a total of 61
cases against 48 in the previous year. These figures are small in comparison with
the number of unfit and galled animals that are allowed to work. The attention
of District Magistrates is drawn to this subject and more effective measures might
be taken by the Police to send all cruelty cases to Hospital for examination and
treatment. A simple fine does not deter those who habitually work unfit animals,
and the only alternative is to place the animals in a Veterinary Hospital for
treatment at the owner's cost and to keep them there until they are certified fit
for work ; if incurable they should be destroyed or sent to a Pinjrapole. I have
also noticed that the bullocks owned by some of the Municipalities are very much
neglected and overworked.
57. In the districts 104 cruelty and 135 maiming cases were examined and
reported on at the request of the Police. Assistants attended the Court to give
evidence on 106 occasions. In the previous year 60 cruelty and 113 maiming
cases were examined followed by 90 attendances at the Court.
58. The incidence of Surra has been very much less during the past year
as only 9 blood specimens were received in comparison with 75 of the previous year.
The prompt destruction of infected animals, strict isolation and observation of
incontact animals, the burning of smoke fires in stables, the burning of all
stable refuse and the prevention of cattle and buffaloes coming into or near stables
are all important factors in the prevention of this disease.