( 6 )
assistants attached to the headquarters staff have been found to be of the greatest
assistance, and in many cases they were the only means of relieving district
veterinary assistants, when they proceeded on leave, and to thus prevent some
localities from being left entirely without veterinary help. They conduct
inoculations and make special investigations and enquiries regarding disease, and
breeding operations, and are often deputed to obtain morbid material for research
puposes.
V.—EXPENDITUEE OF THE DEPARTMENT.
See table XIVA.
59. The cost of the department according to the statement furnished by
the Accountant-General is Rs. 4,05,594 as against Rs. 2,34,985. The increase is
due to a new procedure of calculation whereby the contribution from district
boards towards pay, pension, and leave allowances of veterinary assistants is added
to the veterinary receipts instead of being deducted from the veterinary charges as
recovery from district boards hitherto in force.
VI.—GENERAL REMARKS.
60. The work of the department performed during the year under report
is on the whole very satisfactory, and considerable advancement has been shown
in nearly every branch. Much valuable work has been accomplished in the
prevention and treatment of contagious disease which has resulted in a very
noticeable decrease in the annual mortality. Horse-breeding continues to flourish
although it is a matter of regret that some district boards are contemplating
reducing their number of stallions owing to their financial condition. There is
a great demand for donkey stallions for mule-breeding. This cannot at present
be met owing to want of funds and the difficulty of obtaining these animals in
India. Veterinary hospitals and dispensaries are becoming yearly more numerous
and the increased number of oases treated by veterinary assistants shows the
growing appreciation by the public of the veterinary help provided by Govern-
ment.
61. A scheme for the establishment of mobile veterinary dispensaries and
field laboratories has been submitted to Government and if sanctioned will be of
immense advantage in expediting the methods of diagnosing and combating the
outbreaks of contagious animal disease.
62. The plans and estimate for the proposed veterinary college at Lucknow
are now before the Government but it appears unlikely that the buildings will be
commenced for some time to come.
63. Owing to financial stringency there is an inclination on the part of
certain district boards to reduce their budget grants for veterinary charges
which means that the number of veterinary assistants must be curtailed
and fewer stallions maintained. This is a matter for great regret, as nowhere
is the sum annually expended on this branch of public work very excessive,
and it would seem a pity to deprive the agriculturist and stock breeder of
the few facilities now accessible for the treatment of his live stock and the pro-
vision of stallions for breeding. I would emphasize the very important part which
the animal population especially agricultural cattle play in the welfare of the
province. It appears from the last census of 1920 that there were 2,22,95,992
head of cattle, 74,67,772 buffaloes, 4,62,711 horses and ponies and 64,01,162 other
animals such as camels, donkeys, mules, goats and sheep or a total of 3,66,27,697
animals in the area of the United Provinces which is 1,06,418 square miles. The
present number of veterinary assistants is 166 in the districts and allowing for those
on leave we have usually not more than 150 actually at work. Hence there is one
veterinary assistant to every 2,44,185 animals and he has to tour approximately
over an average of 709 square miles. In the year 1919-20 the recorded mortality
from contagious disease only was 42,715 animals. If we calculate this number at
an average value of Rs. 10 only per head which is about the lowest figure we can
estimate the monetary loss to the agricultural community is not less than 4 lakhs
of rupees to say nothing of the sacrifice of motive power so essential to the
cultivation.
64. The want of suitable accommodation for offices and laboratories for the
2nd and 3rd Superintendents is keenly felt and greatly impedes their work.
65. For rendering genuine assistance in the work of inoculation four certi-
ficates were awarded.