Lack of faculties may lead to de-recognition of state’s vet college

RANCHI: Three years after Veterinary Council of India (VCI) banned new admissions in Ranchi Veterinary College (RVC) due to inadequate number of teaching staff, de-recognition threat is again looming large on the state’s lone veterinary college as currently it is running with only 24 faculty members against the sanctioned strength of 124 posts.

In 2013-14 academic year, VCI had banned new admissions in RVC, which is being governed by Birsa Agricultural College (BAU), due to shortage of manpower after BAU failed to ensure the minimum required teaching faculty on its rolls.

As a result, all the 40 seats in first year of bachelor of veterinary science course remained vacant that year. However, VCI gave permission for admission for 2014-15 academic year after the state government assured to fulfill the vacant posts at the earliest. Two years have passed but no new appointments have been made till date.

BAU vice chancellor George John said, “We have already sent our requirement for faculties to the state government. Jharkhand public service commission has started the process of recruitment and I have been informed that it is at the final stage.”

Dr Balraj Singh, who recently retired from RVC, said, “If posts are not immediately filled, VCI may de-recognize the college.”

The state is already facing an acute shortage of veterinary doctors. Of the total 773 sanctioned posts, there are only 460 doctors. “Shortage of doctors is impacting government’s various schemes for dairy animal husbandry,” said animal husbandry director Dr Ranjnikan Tirkey.

Established on November 30, 1961, the college aimed at imparting veterinary and animal husbandry education up to doctorial level and to undertake basic, applied and adaptive research in all disciplines relating to livestock, poultry production and post-harvest technology.