From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, Jan 4: Decks have been cleared for the appointment of about 1000 veterinary doctors, which have been vacant since the last several years, with the State Cabinet giving its green signal.
Around 1,000 posts of veterinary doctors have been lying vacant for many years in Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, said Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra, while briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting here on Friday.
He said the department had called for applications to fill up 391 posts of veterinary doctors for which only 331 persons have responded.
Of the 331 applicants, 260 candidates belonged to Bangalore and Bidar Veterinary colleges which have got recognition from the Veterinary Council of India (VCI).
The minister said 71 candidates were from Hassan and Shimoga colleges, which did not have VCI recognition.
The issue of according VCI recognition to Hassan and Shimoga colleges was discussed with Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, the minister said and disclosed that Pawar had assured that all clearances would be given at the earliest.
Jayachandra said based on Pawar's promise, the State Government had decided to recruit candidates from both Hassan and Shimoga colleges and issue appointment orders subjected to the receipt of recognition from VCI and final verdict of the Supreme Court and the High Court.
Among 71 candidates, 11 posts were reserved for the Scheduled Castes and four for the Scheduled Tribes.
A verdict in the case between private managements and the Government of India has been pending for the last six months.
"We can not wait for the verdict as the department has to take up vaccination drive on the lines of pulse polio immunization program,” he said.
The minister said the government would soon issue a notification to fill up 660 posts of veterinary inspectors.
Steps had been initiated to take back the services of veterinary department staff from other departments, he said.
Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister H K Patil had been requested to relieve 25 staff members, who originally belonged to Animal Husbandry Department, but had been absorbed in RDPR department.