Veterinary Officers Warn of Mass Resignations if Demands Not Met by March 10
Raising 17 demands around 2,500 veterinary officers across Maharashtra staged a one-day symbolic protest
Pune: Around 2,500 veterinary officers across Maharashtra staged a one-day symbolic protest on Thursday, raising nearly 17 demands related to vacancies, shortage of support staff and working hours in the Animal Husbandry Department.
The protest was organised by the Maharashtra Gazetted Veterinary Officers Association, which warned that if the government fails to take a positive decision on their demands by March 10, the veterinarians may submit mass resignations.
The officers said policy and administrative issues are affecting their efficiency and increasing mental and physical stress. A protest was also held at the Commissioner’s office in Pune.
Association president Dr. Anil Gadakh and general secretary Dr. Kiran Devkate were present during the protest, and a memorandum of demands was submitted to the commissioner’s representative.
Key demands include restoring veterinary hospital working hours from 9 am to 4:30 pm, immediate recruitment of veterinary officers and staff for 24-hour services, filling vacant posts in the department, improving pay scales, and granting professional allowances similar to medical officers.
The association warned that if their demands are not accepted, the agitation could intensify through collective leave, stopping report submissions and hunger strikes, followed by mass resignations.
