Nagpur: The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court has raised concern over non-allocation of funds from the Centre to the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), a statutory body created in 1982, for three years. The court sought explanation on how the AWBI can carry out its work effectively without the financial backing from the Central Government.
A division bench comprising Justice Avinash Gharote and Justice Mukulika Jawalkar on Friday directed the court registry to add the Central Government as a respondent in an ongoing case.
The financial crisis has left the AWBI struggling to meet its obligations under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. The AWBI, which plays a crucial role in animal welfare, has filed an affidavit highlighting lack of funds from 2021 to 2024, particularly for the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme which is essential for sterilising and immunising stray animals to help control their population and prevent the spread of diseases.
The board reported that no funds were provided for this programme over the last three years, severely impacting its operations. The last significant allocation for the ABC programme was Rs 4.03 lakh in 2020-21, after which the funding ceased, the affidavit stated.
The AWBI, which also provides financial assistance for shelter houses and ambulances through various schemes, noted that the lack of funds had forced it to halt essential support to local animal welfare organisations. A recent inspection revealed that several centres were neither compliant with the newly notified ABC Rules, 2023, nor equipped to handle the required sterilisation procedures.
According to the affidavit, the AWBI claimed it received Rs 10 lakh in 2014-15, Rs 41.16 lakh in 2015-16, Rs 58.3 lakh in 2016-17, Rs 32.5 lakh in 2017-18, Rs 24.4 lakh in 2018-19, Rs 7.3 lakh in 2019-20, Rs 4.03 lakh in 2020-21, and not a single rupee was received from 2021 to 2024. The affidavit also noted that Nagpur was previously running three animal birth control centres with shelters until March 2024. These Dog ABC Centres and Animal Shelters were operated by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation at Gorewada, Bhandewadi, and the Nagpur Veterinary Hospital at Maharajbagh, managed by the Krushna Society for Animals, Vets for Animals, and Swathantra Animal Care Centre, respectively.
The affidavit also stated that if the NMC desires, it may conduct Animal Birth Control Programs by inviting Expressions of Interest (EOI) for Animal Birth Centres or Animal Shelters as per the provisions of the ABC Rules, 2023.
The High Court has directed that the Central Government be made a party in the PIL and will question the government regarding the inadequate funding.
The HC was hearing a Public Interest Litigation filed by social activist Vijay Talewar, represented by lawyer Firdos Mirza, which brought attention to the growing stray dog population in Nagpur. The hearing has been deferred for two weeks.
