Corpn-NGO tiff holds up dog sterilization drive

NEW DELHI: It turns out that not one stray has been sterilized in north Delhi neighbourhoods by NGOs appointed for the job. This state of affairs is reportedly thanks to a tiff between North Corporation and the NGOs—over an MoU approved by the ministry of environment, forest and climate change. The Delhi high court last Wednesday asked the city government and corporations to respond to a PIL seeking guidelines to address the “growing menace” of dog bites. NGO Nyayabhoomi has said, even as strays generally lived in harmony with citizens, there have been recent instances of mongrels attacking people, including children, resulting in fatalities. “Dogs in north Delhi aren’t being sterilized. But the corporation is catching them,” said P K Gupta, commissioner, North Corporation. In 2013-14, 5,722 dogs were sterilized, and the number was 5,590 next year. But, only 725 dogs were sterilized by NGOs.Officials of North Corporation say some conditions in the MoU aren’t acceptable to the NGOs. “They don’t want payment from both Animal Welfare Board and the corporation. They want one agency to pay them. We want to pay on basis of numbers, after tallying the organs removed with the animals,” he said.NGOs get Rs 770 per dog. But North Corporation is currently paying them Rs 445 a dog. “The Animal Welfare Board has agreed to pay Rs 223 and the corporation will pay Rs 547 a dog but only if they are willing to sign the MoU,” said a senior North Corporation official.When TOI spoke to one of the NGOs, Sonadi Charitable Trust, its representative Dr Vijay said they catch dogs in north Delhi only when their organization receives a complaint. “Timely payments are a big problem. Moreover, as we are based in south Delhi, it’s sometimes difficult to reach the location,” he said.North Corporation is now planning to outsource dog-catching and sterilization work to local NGOs. “Some north Delhi NGOs will be roped in for the work,” Gupta said.At present, East Delhi Municipal Corporation and South Delhi Municipal Corporation are paying Rs 770 per animal though the MoU says they must pay only Rs 547. “There are no funds to pay their own staff, but they are willing to pay more money to these NGOs,” said the North Corporation official. Several letters have gone out to the ministry.Meanwhile, it’s the residents who are on the receiving end. “In Indrapuri, dog bites are on rise. We filed complaints with the zonal office several times. Each time we were told the NGOs aren’t available,” Sameer, a local, said.