Animal rights activist and former Union Minister Maneka Gandhi expressed concerns about the prevalence of illegal stray dog NGOs in India. She called for government intervention to provide training to recognized NGOs and limit each organization to one contract. This reaction follows the Supreme Court’s recent directives on managing stray dogs and enforcing the Animal Birth Control (ABC) framework nationwide.
Gandhi criticized the current state of affairs, labeling the apex court’s directions as impractical and indicating a lack of progress in setting up ABC centers in Delhi. She highlighted the proliferation of unauthorized NGOs operating in the country, with only a few being properly trained and honest in their operations.
According to Gandhi, a significant portion of existing ABC centers are fraudulent, with many not conducting sterilization procedures as required. She alleged that a substantial amount of public funds, estimated at hundreds of crores, have been misused through fake ABC centers across various districts in India.
Gandhi cited specific instances of malpractice, such as a center in Mandla, Madhya Pradesh, which was discovered to be falsifying sterilization records and profiting illicitly. She emphasized the need for the government to address these issues promptly and transparently, urging for stringent regulations and enforcement in the sector.
