Port Blair, Sept. 6: The CPI (M) has demanded immediate filling up of vacant posts of Veterinary Officers in the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services.  In a letter sent to the Chief Secretary, A & N Administration, D. Ayyappan, Secretary, CPI (M) A & N State Organising Committee drew the attention of the Administration towards the shortage of Veterinary Officers in the Veterinary Dispensaries of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. He said that 15 posts of Veterinary officers are lying vacant in the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services of the Andaman & Nicobar Administration for the last several years.   He alleged that no concrete step was taken by the Administration to fill up these posts in time which led to the deemed abolition of eight posts. Revival of such deemed abolished post is a cumbersome procedure and there is a remote chance to revive those 8 posts. 

CPI (M) Secretary stated in the letter that farmers are facing difficulties in the absence of Veterinary Officers in the villages. There is an urgent need to fill up these posts of Veterinary Officers through UPSC. Since there will be considerable delay in the regular recruitment of the posts by UPSC, CPI (M) suggested that qualified local candidates may be appointed on contract basis to meet the immediate requirements of the department and to help the farmers. 

Ayyappan has further requested Chief Secretary that the Government of India may be approached immediately to revive the eight “deemed abolished posts” of Veterinary Officers by furnishing necessary justification for it.