Dog menace checking funds diverted to treat urban poor

PUNE: NP NEWS 24 ONLINE – Within the first seven months of the financial year, Pune Municipal Corporation administration have spent 18.4 crores allotted in the civic budget, to bear 50 per cent of the medical expenditure of the urban poor.

As there are no funds left for the scheme, the authorities have proposed to divert funds meant for purchasing dog-catching vehicles and employing staff to check the dog menace and the money from the Mayor’s fund.

The proposal also pointed out that the PMC was doubtful to spend some part of the funds meant for the purchase of 11 dog-catching vans forward offices and employing staff on a contract basis. It also included that civic body had around 18.4 crores already allotted for monetary assistance scheme.

Civic administration also added that 64 lakhs would remain unspent from the funds meant for buying dog-catching vehicles, 35.51 lakhs from the funds for employing staffers to catch dogs, and 1.5 crores from the Mayor fund.

On the other hand, the population of strays in the city has been estimated at around 50,000, which was around 11,000, five years ago. The rise in strays is being attributed to the expansion of the city since 2003.

According to the facts, those with an annual income of less than Rs 1 lakh are considered to be urban poor and are eligible to avail the benefits of the scheme by registering themselves with the civic body. The PMC helps them with 50 per cent of their expenditure, up to Rs 1 lakh, to treat serious ailments. A total of 10,569 families had registered under the scheme this year and 9,083 availed the benefits till October- end.

Pune witnessed 9,461 cases of dog bites during 2017-18 as compared to 10,059 cases in 2016-17. Whereas, in 2017-18 9,389 stray dogs were neutered in January.