State urged to sanction Rs 9.2L immediately to feed lockdown-hit strays

The Madras High Court was informed on Monday that the Tamil Nadu Government is yet to release Rs 9.2 lakh to feed stray animals during the lockdown period and that orders have been placed for buying food and fodder through the funds made available by the State Governor and animal lovers.

Recording submissions that lockdown conditions do not permit people to come out and do more, the first bench comprising Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy, said: “It is hoped that the State releases Rs 9.2 lakh sought for the immediate purpose of feeding stray dogs, cattle, cats, horses and even elephants. This is only a temporary measure and will not be continued after the lockdown.”

“This is necessary because, during the lockdown, there is hardly any food for the animals and little scope for even scavenging,” the bench held.

Also, recording submissions by advocate A Yogeshwaran on behalf of the Committee that there are several stray animals inside the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Chennai campus, but the fate and state of such animals cannot be ascertained, the bench directed immediate inspection by the State authorities.

“The Animal Husbandry Department should inform the authorities at IIT, Chennai, and enter the premises after giving prior notice, under the authority conferred by this order to feed the stray animals within IIT Campus and ascertain the health of the animals, if necessary,” Chief Justice Banerjee stressed.

The bench also accorded permission of diverting 650 kg of skimmed milk powder received by way of a donation to the needy since the same may not be appropriate for feeding stray animals.