In a move that will bring respite to animal lovers, pet owners and breeders, the Jharkhand animal husbandry unit became the only of its kind in eastern India to have state-owned pet clinics operational 24x7 across the state.

“We are the first state in the eastern region to have government pet clinics (veterinary) functional throughout the day. The facility was inaugurated by state agriculture, animal husbandry and cooperative minister Badal Patralekh at the animal husbandry directorate in Hatia, Ranchi on Tuesday and will be simultaneously operated across all the 24 districts,” said animal husbandry director Dr S.P. Jha.

Earlier, the state-owned pet clinics used to operate only in the daytime (between 11am and 4pm), causing problems for animal keepers and pet owners from rural areas who had to rely on expensive treatment at private veterinary units and that too in city areas.

“We had decided to extend the service at the pet clinics across Jharkhand for the benefit of animal keepers and pet owners. Each of the pet clinics will have a contact number that people can contact any time for treatment,” said Patralekh.

He also inaugurated a workshop to make the animal owners, public representatives, etc., aware of animal husbandry activities.

The minister, while addressing a workshop to make the animal owners and elected panchayat-level public representatives aware of the activities of the animal husbandry unit, announced plans for a model veterinary hospital.

“We are working on starting a model veterinary hospital in Ranchi which will have all the modern facilities for all animals,” said Patraleskh, who also released a booklet on the state animal welfare board.

Sources in the animal husbandry unit revealed that the detailed project report of the model veterinary hospital has already been prepared at an estimated cost of Rs 10 crore and would be sent to the engineering section for technical sanction. The hospital will be constructed on nearly 2.96 acres of land at Hesag in Ranchi.

“We hope to get the technical sanction and administrative clearance in the next two-three months and hope to start the construction work after the tender process by the end of this year. The multi-storied model veterinary hospital with OPD facilities will be one of its kind in the eastern region catering to all livestock and poultry,” said the senior official in the animal husbandry unit.

The minister also distributed assets to beneficiaries under the CM livestock scheme for pigs and ducks and also distributed appointment letters to employees.