The Commissioner of the Animal Husbandry Department has recommended action against two veterinary officials for handing over blank ‘Animal Health Certificates’ booklets to transporters.
An investigation was ordered recently by Upa Lokayukta Justice Subhash B Adi based on a complaint by Dr S K Mittal, member of Karnataka State Goseva Ayog.
Animal Husbandry Commissioner Sallauddin has written to the Principal Secretary to take action against Assistant Director Dr N Nataraj and Veterinary Officer Dr Madesh.
Both are posted in Gundlupet.
It was also found that hundreds of certificates issued by ‘Dr K A Parveen’ were fake and there was no doctor by that name.
“One of the prominent places through which cattle are transported is Gandasi in Hassan district via Mandya-Mysore-Chamarajanagar-Gundlupet to enter Matunga checkpost of Waynad district in Kerala.”
“Hence, Gundlupet has become the focal point of this illegal trade,” Mittal stated in his complaint.
When there were no records available, the Goseva Ayog procured health certificates issued by Karnataka.
It was found that between January and July, a total of 2,481 trucks carrying cattle entered Kerala with Animal Health Certificates issued by Karnataka state officials.
During the inquiry it was found that certificates issued in the name of Dr K A Parveen, stated as assistant director of Animal Husbandry were fake.
“In the period that was scrutinised, 350 certificates issued in the name of Parveen were found.”
“Every year, approximately five lakh heads of cattle are transported to Kerala via different routes, including the tiger project area, in violation of Indian Wildlife Protection Act and other Acts,” the complainant said.
Justice Adi said officials have accepted that though no certificates were issued, hundreds of trucks carrying cattle have passed through the route to Kerala.
“During the inquiry, the officials present said no health certificate was issued after April 2013, which means all the livestock transported after April 2013, were transported with forged certificates,” he said.