Resolution on the report of the Civil Veterinary Department,
Assam.
Extract from the Proceedings of the Ghief Commissioner of Assam in the Revenue
Department, No. 351022B., dated the 21st August 1915.
READ—
The report of the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, Assam, on the administration
of the Civil Veterinary Department, Assam, for 1914-15, and the Review thereon of
the Director, Department of Land Records and Agriculture, Assam.
RESOLUTION.
THE staff of the Department at the end of the year consisted of 38 Veterinary
Assistants and three Inspectors and was still less than fourth-fifths of the sanctioned
scale. Lack of qualified candidates renders it impossible to fill up all the vacant
appointments, for unfortunately the educated classes are not attracted either by the
work or the emoluments of the Department. "Fire new officers were obtained during
the year but as four others resigned there was only a net gain of one. Stipends are
given by Government to students, but only two, out of the six persons, to whom they
were granted remained at the Bengal Veterinary College throughout the year, and of
the six local Board stipendiaries only one succeeded in passing the class examination.
The pay of Veterinary Assistants has recently been raised, and the Chief Commissioner
hopes that the Department will gradually grow in popularity.
2. There was a very considerable increase in the number of deaths reported from
contagious diseases, the figure rising from 29,471 to 36,230. It is probable, however,
that a considerable part of this increase is due to better reporting. Inoculation
showed the most favourable results, only 217 animals, out of 21,117 inoculated, having
died. The Chief Commmissioner is gratified to learn that there has been a marked
increase in the work done by itinerary assistants who visited 7,533 villages and
treated 17,633 animals for contagious and 55,494 for non-contagious diseases.
3. The number of stud-bulls kept by Government or local bodies in the province
is extremely small, but since the close of the year arrangements have been made for
the supply of animals of good quality from the Manipur State. The Superintendent
of the Department complains that such efforts as are at present made to improve the
stock are in the majority of cases not appreciated. There can, however, be no
question that the breed of cattle in Assam in certain localities has been considerably
improved of recent years by the action of professional graziers and by other means, and
the Chief Commissioner hopes that when once a suitable type of animal has been
selected and obtained considerable advances will be made. Managers of tea gardens
not infrequently take an interest in cattle breeding, and the better strain introduced
in the herds kept by the coolies will gradually spread into the surrounding villages.
The Chief Commissioner attaches much importance to the improvement of the live-
stock of the province, and as occasion offers steps will be taken to introduce fresh blood
not only for cattle but for the local breeds of sheep and ponies.
4. The Chief Commissioner is glad to hear that reports of outbreaks are now
received more promptly owing to the revised system of notification. In some cases,
however, time has been wasted by the reporting of non-contagious diseases. On the
other hand, there are still many outbreaks of virulent cattle-disease which are never
reported to the Department until the end of the year. The Chief Commissioner trusts
that the Director and Superintendent will take steps to remedy these defects.
5. The Chief Commissioner awaits definite proposals from the Director as regards
the suggestion made by the Superintendent that greater opportunity might be taken
to utilise Veterinary hospitals for all cases of cruelty.
6. Mr. Harris was on tour for 193 days during the year and showed energy and
capacity in his management of the department. The Chief Commissioner is glad to
learn that the work of the three Inspectors was generally satisfactory. The names of
the Veterinary Assistants commended by the Superintendent for good work have
been noted.