(a) the number of State Animal Welfare Boards thathave been established currently, as per the SupremeCourt’s directive in 2011 and re-issuance of samedirectives in 2015, 2017 and 2020;
(b) whether the established Boards are currentlyoperational;
(c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasonstherefor;
(d) the number of vacancies on said Boards, State/UT-wise; and
(e) the number of states that are yet to set upAnimal Welfare Boards along with the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)
(a) As per information received from the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, all the States and UTs have established the State Animal Welfare Boards.
(b) and (c) As per information received from the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, only few State Animal Welfare Boards are currently operational. The Animal Welfare Board of India is regularly addressing the concerned authorities of State Governments/UTs to establish / re-constitute the State Animal Welfare Boards and District SPCA in every district to prevent unnecessary pain or suffering to animals.
The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has also taken steps by conducting the Regional Review meetings with all the States /UTs to see that the provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and its Rules are implemented in letter and spirit.
(d) As informed by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, the number of vacancies on said Boards, State/UT-wise is not available with the Animal Welfare Board of India.
(e) As per information received from Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, the State Animal Welfare Boards set up in their respective States/UTs are to be effectively made functional to address the issues related to cruelty to animals and to prevent unnecessary pain or suffering to animals at grass root level.
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