New Delhi, March 24 (IANS): The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairy on Tuesday urged all the states and Union Territories to include veterinary services in the list of 'Essential Services'.

In a letter written by Joint Secretary Upmanyu Basu to the Chief Secretaries of all the states and Union Territories, it is stated, "It is requested that veterinary hospitals and dispensaries in the state, including private veterinary clinics, veterinary pathologies, animal shelters etc function in the normal course and the veterinary services be considered in the list of 'Essential Services."

However, veterinarians and related officials should ensure strict personal hygiene and avoid public gathering, the letter read further.

Recently, senior BJP leader Maneka Gandhi lashed out at the pet shop owners for leaving the animals and birds in their shops during the lockdown and appealed to the people to make a call to police or write to her office to inform about the same.

"Pet shops are locking up with their animals and birds inside. These will die in two days. If you see a pet shop and hear animals inside call the police or let me know at gandhim@nic.in," Maneka Gandhi, who is also a well-known animal activist, said in a tweet.