Govt suspends two vets after death of calves at Raj Bhawan

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh govt suspended a veterinary officer and a livestock officer posted at Raj Bhawan following the death of two calves and a heifer. The govt also sought disciplinary action against both the officers for dereliction of duty.The action was taken by additional chief secretary, animal husbandry, Mukesh Meshram, following the recommendations of a committee instituted by ACS to the Governor, SM Bobde. The three-member committee was headed by the special secretary to the Governor.On Jan 3, Bobde wrote to the ACS and the director of the animal husbandry department, stating that the inquiry committee prima facie found the veterinary officer Umakant Jaiswal and livestock officer Saurabh Gupta responsible for negligence in their duties regarding the care and treatment of bovines in Raj Bhawan's cowshed.Taking cognisance of the inquiry committee report, special secretary, department of animal husbandry, Devendra Kumar Pandey, suspended Saurabh Gupta for not assisting the veterinary officer in administering medicines and determining the dosage for treating bovines. Saurabh asked his driver to assist the veterinary officer in administering the medication.Besides the suspension, the department sent an additional veterinary officer, Dr Ramesh, and two livestock officers, Purandar Mishra and Dharmendra Kumar Singh, to Raj Bhawan for better upkeep of cattle.