(IN) Please write to our Chief Minister

[Guest guest]

Sri.V.S.Achuthanandan

Hon.Chief Minister of Kerala &

Chairman,Idukki Aiswarya Samithi

 

Sir,

 

Sub: Request for including animal welfare activities in the Idukki

package 2008 announced by the Govt. of India.

 

Ref: The allotment of Rs.91.5 crores for animal husbandry activities as

envisaged in the Idukki package.

 

It is quite disheartening to note that not even a single rupee has

been earmarked for the animal welfare activities in the Idukki package - a

comprehensive developmental and re-habilitation project announced by the Govt.of

India

 

Out of the 91.5 crores allotted for animal husbandry in Idukki

District the break up reported in as follows.

 

1. Dairy development -Rs.34 crores

2. Procuring of 18000 stud bulls for artificial insemination -Rs. 17.25

crores

3. Promotion of beef and such meat- Rs.12.05 crores

4. Erection of suitable cowsheds- Rs.6.5 crores

5. Increase in milk yield on a commercial basis -Rs.5.5 crores

6. Goat rearing -Rs10.95 crores

7. New cattle feed units-Rs. 0.5 crores

8. Fodder grass for cattle- Rs. 2 crores

9. Cattle Insurance -Rs. 2.4 crores

 

When thousands of animals are brought into a district only for their meat and

milk and when the welfare of these dumb beings are overlooked and their rights

sidelined- it is illegal, in humane and a blot to our cultural heritage.

 

We, the Keralites have acquired notoriety in treating animals

cruelly and we spare none in this regard- from our state's symbol the majestic

elephant to the poor dogs in the streets. We starve than, over work them, burden

them with overload, overtap their bodily juices, make them toil hard or stand

still in the scorching sun without moving and make them do unnatural activities

like races and processions and finally slaughter them for meat or insurance

money.

 

We, the Keralites have shown the world how cruel and ungrateful we

are – towards the animals around us.

 

I request you to earmark at least a meagre share of the

Indian tax- payer's money that we get for Idukki District towards the

welfare activities of the thousands of animals being brought into Idukki in

Kerala.

 

 

The annual budget of Kerala has not allotted a single rupee for

animal welfare activities and one does not expect such a

gesture from the Animal Husbandry Department of Kerala --even the judicial

courts have commented upon this.

 

As the Chairman of Idukki Aiswarya Samithi that decides the policy

details of the package, and a champion of protecting the environment and justice

system in our state , Honorable chief minister of Kerala, I put forward this

request before you on behalf of the thousands of speechless animals of Idukki

District whose entire life will be scarificed wholly for the material

gratification of man. I request you to show the world that honouring the

concepts of animal rightsand welfare are still part of our rich and noble

heritage.

 

I humbly request you to immediately look in to this matter and allot

a share for animal welfare in the Rs. 92 crores centre package earmarked for the

animal husbandry activities in Idukki District.

 

Yours faithfully,

 

A.G. Babu

 

Member{co-opted} AWBI