‘Photographs Show Sorry State Of Affairs’: Andhra Pradesh HC Seeks Report From District Collectors On Safe Keeping & Transportation Of Cattle As Per Government Order
The Andhra Pradesh High Court sought a report from District Collectors of Kakinada and East Godavari districts on safe keeping and transportation of cattle as per Government Order No.23, of October, 2015.
The Court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation filed by the Animal Rescue Organisation highlighting the rampant cruelty that is being perpetrated on animals in gross violation of the Government Order which was issued under the directions issued by the combined High Court of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
The bench of Chief Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur and Justice R Raghunandan Rao stated, “Photographs have been annexed by the petitioners which reflect a very sorry state of affairs. The photographs reflect several dead animals in the cattle marketing area are being handled by cranes and other heavy machinery.”
Senior Advocate K S Murthy appeared for the Petitioner.
The Court, after noticing the fact that the animals were being treated cruelly either during their illegal transportation or after they had been brought into the cattle market areas, had issued directions to the Government to frame a comprehensive policy.
In the Government Order, various guidelines had been prescribed which envisaged the Shandy Level Monitoring Committee (SLMC) to ensure that there is provision for ramps, CC cameras, proper arrangements for feeding, drinking water and a shed for animals.
The Court noted that guidelines also prescribed provisions as to the installation of GPS in transport vehicles which should also contain partitions in the vehicle as per specification. The Court further noted that guidelines also mentioned that the SLMC shall submit monthly reports to the SPCA Chairman, who is the District Collector, as well as to the State Animal Welfare Board.
The Court stated, “Some of the photographs annexed with the petition also reflect the dilapidated state of the fodder area as also the water troughs which contain no water. Even the covered sheds seem to be totally inadequate considering the large number of animals that are seen to be accommodated in the cattle market area.”
Accordingly, the Court sought a comprehensive report from the District Collectors.
