The Diploma Veterinary Association Haryana 633 has been protesting for over 1,015 days, demanding the appointment of an IAS officer as Director General of the Haryana Animal Husbandry Department and the approval of VLDA employees’ demands. State President Bijendra Singh Bainiwal and General Secretary Ramfal Rahd have made it clear that the agitation will continue until the government issues a formal notification. They argue that their demands are both justified and beneficial to the public.
Veterinary Livestock Development Assistants (VLDA), who play a crucial role in Haryana’s veterinary and animal husbandry services, have been fighting for their rights for 1,016 days. Sitting on a dharna in Sector-5, Panchkula, they demand amendments in service conditions, designation changes, and better pay scales. However, despite their prolonged protest, the government has yet to provide a concrete resolution, escalating frustration among employees.
The Diploma Veterinary Association Haryana has outlined several major demands:
- Recognition of Diploma: The VLDA diploma should be renamed as Diploma in Veterinary Science (DVSC) to gain wider national recognition.
- Service Rule Amendments: VLDA service rules should be revised to ensure employees’ career progression.
- Designation Change: VLDA should be renamed Veterinary Livestock Extension Officer (VLEO) to reflect their responsibilities.
- Formation of a Regulatory Council: A Diploma Veterinary Council should be established to oversee professionals in the field.
- Improved Pay Scale: Grade pay should be upgraded for financial stability.
- Enhanced Hospital Facilities: Veterinary hospitals in Haryana require infrastructural upgrades to provide better services to livestock owners.
- Career Growth Assurance: The implementation of Assured Career Progression (ACP) is crucial to securing promotions and career growth.
- Online Transfer Participation: All VLDA employees should be included in the online transfer drive to ensure fairness and transparency.
The movement has garnered support from various political parties, with several opposition leaders visiting the protest site to back the demands. They have urged the government to take swift action.
Despite the significant role of VLDA employees in animal husbandry, the government has remained largely unresponsive. This silence has intensified frustration among the protesters, raising concerns about the government’s commitment to the sector.
The Haryana government has yet to take concrete action. While some officials have hinted at discussions, no definitive decisions have been made. Multiple rounds of negotiations between employees and government representatives have failed, leaving the matter unresolved.
Haryana’s economy heavily relies on agriculture and animal husbandry, with thousands of farmers dependent on government veterinary services.
The lack of attention to VLDA employees’ issues has had a direct impact on livestock farmers:
- Decline in Veterinary Services: Shortages of VLDA staff have affected medical assistance and vaccinations for animals.
- Economic Consequences: Poor veterinary services threaten dairy and livestock productivity, weakening the rural economy.
- Increased Burden on Farmers: Farmers struggle to access timely medical help for their livestock, leading to financial losses.
As the deadlock continues, VLDA employees are preparing for more aggressive measures:
- Statewide Protests: Employees are set to intensify demonstrations across Haryana.
- Work Stoppage Threat: If the government remains unresponsive, VLDA employees may halt services, potentially crippling the animal husbandry sector.
Experts argue that the demands of VLDA employees are entirely reasonable and must be addressed promptly.
- “Strengthening the animal husbandry sector requires supporting VLDA employees. Enhancing their pay scale and designation will directly benefit farmers.”
- “Despite nationwide schemes to promote animal husbandry, real progress is impossible without ensuring respectable salaries and job security for ground-level workers.”
This prolonged protest has become one of Haryana’s most significant employee movements. The key question remains: will the government act, or will this struggle continue indefinitely?
To resolve the issue effectively, the Haryana government must take immediate steps:
- Engage in formal negotiations with VLDA representatives.
- Initiate the process of establishing a Diploma Veterinary Council.
- Survey to evaluate designation and pay scale improvements.
Promptly addressing these concerns is essential not only for VLDA employees but also for the betterment of Haryana’s livestock farmers and the state’s rural economy.
If the government fails to intervene, the protest could escalate, severely impacting veterinary services and causing significant losses for animal farmers. The Haryana government must act now to prevent further disruptions and secure a fair resolution for VLDA employees.
