Veterinarians betrayed and humiliated

The 8th Kerala pay commission report has come as a poor concept and lack of application of mind by a Commission of its stature:

1. The veterinary associations did the best to raise our just demands before the 8th pay commission. The pay commission in its report para 3. 16 acknowledges this. “The representatives of all other categories particularly veterinary and engineering made a forceful plea to the commission that there should be no difference at the entry level between themselves and allopathic doctors.

2. Pay commission report (full text) appear on site on 28thFebruary 2006 – www.prc.kerala.gov.in.

Defamatory remarks made are

Para 3. 65 – says that only those who are not able to gain admission for either medical courses go in for subjects like agriculture, veterinary science, Medicos have higher prestige value. The time and effort is much higher for medicos than those in other professional fields.
Para 3.66  says that medicos are in greater demand and more relevant for common man.
Para3.67 says that the demand for the veterinary profession is low.
Para 3.68 says that medicos have a higher risk factor. Hence the existing the difference in pay scales may continue.
Para 5.3.1 mentions animal production sector as animal protection sector. Animal Husbandry is not about protection alone but it involves production also among other objectives.

The casual way of dealing with the department and lack of application of mind is evident here. The functions of veterinary hospitals in the multifarious role have been conceived in a melee of ignorance. The commission has totally ignored the observation of the 5th central pay commission headed by an eminent jurist and an exemplary humanist, who found “no reason why the two professions like medical and veterinary service should be treated differently” It had also recommended the same Non-practicing allowance at the same level as medical graduates. Subsequently, many states have implemented this justful equality. The commission has very very casually dismissed the argument of the association for a parity with medical service which exists  in many states of India  on the plea that the cream of the students has medical science as their first choice. There is a historic judgment of the Kerala high court which had asked the government of Kerala to look into the anomalous situation it had created during the previous pay commission was not given due consideration. If the criteria as cream of students choosing admission are determining the pay scale, all those who sit for Indian administrative exams may have to be considered inferior to medical or dental graduates.

3. Associations meet the authorities and record our protest on 28th itself and hinds about taking very drastic methods of protest if corrective actions are not taken immediately.

4. 1st March 2006

1. Day of all party meeting to discuss about the report.
2. The associations decided to declare strike from 6th March 2006 considering the fact the last cabinet meeting will be held on 8th March.
3. Prepared strike notice but before serving election declared. Due to uncertainty of

            the fate of commission report strike notice withheld.

4. Gets clear information that all party meeting did not take place.
5. By evening new reliably that special cabinet summoned on 2nd March 2006 to discuss and approve the report.
6. Meets Director of AH, Minister for AH , Chief Secretary and Chief Minister on 1st March 2006 night itself to voice our protest and requested them to initiate appropriate corrective action.

5. 2nd March 2006

1. Cabinet approves report without any change.
2. Associations air their voice of protest for accepting this defamatory commission report without making necessary corrections.
3. Associations declare that this report forces us to take actions which may have reaching effects in the present scenario.

Associations have not lost hope. The issue remains live and will gain strength as days pass. We are looking at all options and will not leave any stone unturned in our war for justice.

 Our Demands

• Equate the Pay Scale of Veterinary officers with that of Medical Officers in all Time Bound Grade Promotion as recommended by Justice Pandian Commission

• Veterinarians working in the nonclinical posts like Farms, Labs, Zoos, Biological Institute, Regional AI Centers should be given Non Practicing allowance at the rate of 25% of Basic Pay

• Risk Allowance should be given considering the arduous nature of work to all Veterinary Officers.
• Take back controversial and adverse remarks made by the commission against Vets.

Dr. Theodore John, President, Kerala Veterinary Surgeons Service Association.

Dr. Simon Daniel, President, Animal Husbandry Officers Association Kerala.

Dr. Robin D Culas, President, Indian Veterinary Association, Kerala