HC dissatisfied with Nagrota cattle pound functioning

Jammu, Nov 24: A division Bench of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh, taking cognisance of deficiencies pointed out by the Court Commissioner and a veterinary surgeon from JMC, has expressed its dissatisfaction over the functioning of the cattle pound (Gaushala) at Seri Khurd, Nagrota.

The Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice Tashi Rabstan and Justice M A Choudhary, has directed the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) Commissioner and Dr Priyanka Malhotra, the veterinary surgeon from JMC, to visit the pound again and file the latest status and Action Taken Report (ATR).

These directions were passed by the court in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL No 25/2017) filed by an NGO, SAVE (Save Animal, Value Environment) through its chairperson, Devinder Kour Madan alias Rumpy Madan seeking appropriate directions to JMC for proper upkeep of cattle and maintenance of cattle pound, situated at village Seri Khurd (Nagrota).

When the PIL came up for hearing, advocate S S Ahmed, appearing for the petitioner, submitted that voiceless animals at the cattle pound were in bad shape in unhygienic conditions at Seri Khurd (Nagrota). “JMC also outsources the pound (Gaushala) to Gauraksha Samiti, an NGO, which is unable to cater to the animals,” Ahmed submitted. He also read the report of the Court Commissioner Zia-ul-Qamar wherein several deficiencies were pointed out, including non-segregation of lactating cows, calves and other cows.

“Some bulls were found locked in the same sheds. Sick and injured animals were sharing the space with healthy animals in the same shed. Animals were not allowed to access the forest area for grazing. No veterinarian or supervisory staff member was found at the time of the visit. Electricity facilities were not up to the mark,” it was stated in the report.

“Six weak and ailing horses were also found in a separate shed, however, they were also found untagged. Two male and a female labourers were available in the shelter indicating there was insufficient manpower,” the report mentioned.

The petitioner’s advocate also referred to the deficiencies pointed out by Dr Priyanka Malhotra, in-charge cattle pound Nagrota, wherein she disclosed a shortage of manpower, stocking of expired medicines, no provisioning of adequate diet to animals, no arrangements to remove cow dung from cattle pound and failure to provide identity cards to workers or attendants deployed at the pound. 

After considering his submissions, the Division Bench, headed by Chief Justice Tashi Rabstan, expressing its dissatisfaction over the functioning of the pound, asked the advocate representing JMC as to what action was taken by it (JMC) vis-a-vis two reports referred to, in the court. 

Advocate Harshwardhan, representing JMC sought some time to file an Action Taken Report and outcome of notice dated August 21, 2024.

Upon this, the Division Bench directed JMC to file ATR, by or before the next date of hearing on December 24, 2024.