Extract from the Proceedings of the Chief Commissioner of Assam in the Revenue
Department, No. 4079R., dated the 29th August 1913.
READ—
The Report of the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, Assam, on the administration of
the Veterinary Department for the year 1912-1913 and the Review thereon of the Director, Depart-
ment of Land Records and Agriculture, Assam.
RESOLUTION.
THE Chief Commissioner cannot regard it as satisfactory that the Superintendent
of the Veterinary Department is unable, for the reasons stated by the Director of Land
Records and Agriculture, to make long-tours. He awaits Mr. McSwiney's proposals in
this regard. The Chief Commissioner accepts in other respects the Director of Land
Records and Agriculture's proposals as regards inspections.
2. Sir Archdale Earle regrets to find that owing to the difficulty of obtaining
suitable candidates the staff of the Department was increased only by one Inspector and
five Assistants during the year, and is still far below the sanctioned strength. It is clear
that, apart from the previous inadequacy of the stipends, the inadequacy, still prevailing,
of prospects prevents students from choosing this career; and the Chief Commissioner
has decided to effect an early and substantial improvement in the pay of Veterinary
Assistants. The Chief Commissioner has since the close of the year sanctioned an
annual contribution of Rs. 1,000 from provincial funds to each of the Local Boards
of Barpeta, Goalpara, Mangaldai, Golaghat, North Lakhimpur and Hailakandi, in
order to cover the cost of the entertainment of a second itinerating Assistant by
each Board; but the lack of candidates prevents the Boards from immediately
taking advantage of the offer.
3. A satisfactory feature of the report is the reduction in the mortality from
contagious diseases in spite of an unusually severe outbreak of rinderpest in the
Dibrugarh subdivision. There was a corresponding decrease in the number of cases
treated for contagious diseases, but the Chief Commissioner notices with pleasure the
growing appreciation by the public of the work of the Department, which is indicated
by the increase of 39 per cent, in the number of cases treated by itinerating Assistants
for non-contagious diseases.
4. With a view to secure speedier and more complete information of the occur-
rence of cattle-disease, an attempt has been made to enlist the services of touring
officers of other departments, village officials, tea-garden managers and other
private persons. The necessary arrangements were made towards the close of the
year, and it is as yet too early to judge the results.
5. Steps are being taken to remove the defects in scheduling diseases under the
Glanders and Farcy Act noticed in paragraphs 13 and 14 of the Superintendent's
report.
6. The question of the improvement of the breed of cattle is still awaiting the
report of the special officer appointed to consider the subject by the late Government
of Eastern Bengal and Assam. The Chief Commissioner has issued instructions
which he hopes will lead to the reservation of grazing grounds in temporarily-settled
areas; and the difficult question of the provision of grazing grounds in the permanently-
settled parts of the province is engaging his attention.
7. Sir Archdale Earle agrees with Mr. McSwiney that much credit is due to
Mr. Harris for the progress made by the Department in circumstances of considerable
difficulty. He hopes that, when the pay of the staff is raised, as proposed, there will
be no complaint of apathy and want of initiative on the part of a large number of
Veterinary Assistants.
The Chief Commissioner notices with pleasure the commendation bestowed by the
Superintendent on Babu Guru Prasanna Sen, Inspector, for his inoculation work on
the Mishmi road, and on Assistants S. C. Ghosh, B. C. Chatterji, H. C. Sen,
J. Ahmad, and M. R. Boruah.
His thanks are also due to Mr. McSwiney for his careful supervision of the work
of the Department.
ORDERED that a copy of this Resolution, of the Report and the Review of the
Director of Land Records and Agriculture thereon be published for general informa-
tion.
By order of the Chief Commissioner of Assam,
A. W. BOTHAM,
Ojfg, Second Secretary to the Chief Commissioner of Assam.
A. S. P. O. (E. & Agri.) No. 23—960—30-8-1913.