Mangaluru: Department of animal husbandry and veterinary sciences in Dakshina Kannada district is functioning with just 16% of its sanctioned staff strength. The district has 449 sanctioned posts, including veterinary doctors, of which 377 are vacant.Of the 74 sanctioned posts for veterinary doctors, 44 are vacant. Nearly 10 veterinary hospitals in the district have become dysfunctional due to zero staff deployment, raising concerns over the department’s ability to provide veterinary services across the district.Officials and staff of the department find it difficult to manage nearly 110 veterinary hospitals with a majority of the sanctioned posts are vacant. As per official data, the district was sanctioned 170 D Group employees. However, only two are working while 168 posts are vacant.Dr Arun Kumar Shetty, deputy director of animal husbandry and veterinary services, told TOI that the department lacks doctors and livestock inspectors. Out of 13 doctors outsourced in 2024-25, only four are currently working. The department has hired 95 D Group employees on an outsourced basis from two private agencies. To run the mobile clinics, the department outsourced drivers as well. Similarly, data entry operators also have been outsourced, he said.A polyclinic located in Mangaluru city has all the facilities, including x-ray, scanning, laboratory, operation theatre and a separate section for the pets, he added.No minister to open new buildingThe construction of a new building for the deputy director on Jail Road, has already been completed. However, the building that cost of Rs 4.1 crore could not be inaugurated, as the animal husbandry and veterinary services department has no minister present. The govt led by CM DK Shivakumar has not yet allotted the portfolio to anyone. In fact, the district headquarters has been functioning in an old dilapidated building that was constructed in 1973.
