Does Assam need a veterinary university?

Due to the apathy shown by State agricultural universities headed by vice-chancellors with graduation in agricultural science to veterinary science and fisheries, a demand for State veterinary universities started brewing in India and the first veterinary university came into existence in Madras in 1989. Since then 14 such veterinary and animal science universities have been set up. But it is unfortunate that most of these universities, except the one in Tamil Nadu, are in bad shape due to financial problems. As a remedial measure, creation of Indian Council of Veterinary Research was suggested by some quarters. The Government of India initiated some measures to this effect, but due to the current economic slowdown it has been kept in abeyance.

Under such circumstances, the proposal to establish a veterinary university in Assam needs to be given a second thought due to several reasons. First, most of the universities set up by Assam government during the recent past have not received adequate funds. Secondly, the veterinary college established at Lakhimpur 30 years ago during the first term of AGP rule has not yet attained full-fledged status despite the rhetoric of then chief minister PK Mahanta and veterinary minister late Nagen Sharma. It is not much difficult to speculate as to what fate the proposed veterinary university will meet.

Therefore, we feel that two veterinary colleges and a lone fishery college in Assam should continue under AAU which has recently won the prestigious Sardar Ballav Bhai Patel award and thereby has acquired a brand name of sorts. At the same time, we urge upon the Central government to take initiatives towards setting up a central veterinary university in the North-east and place all the veterinary and fishery colleges of the region under it.

Dr. MN Ray,

Khanapara, Guwahati.