In order to manage the livestock problem in Ahmedabad, “deputed bouncers” have been stationed at 96 locations, the Gujarat High Court was informed on Tuesday. The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), who claimed responsibility for the decision lay with its Cattle Nuisance Control Department (CNCD), informed the court in this respect.
AMC claimed that the initiative has delivered good results. In an affidavit filed before the HC on Monday as part of its bi-monthly action taken report, the civic body said that CNCD “deputed bouncers in two shifts at 96 GSLSA locations which resulted in better control of cattle nuisance activity”.
When the HC requested a survey be done last year, the Gujarat State Legal Services Authority (GSLSA) identified 96 locations throughout the city as hotspots for the cattle infestation.
The AMC has stated that in addition to deploying bouncers, it also suggested on March 23 that the state government create a complete policy of Rs 75,000 compensation for deaths brought on by stray cow attacks on city streets.
Last year, the high court made the AMC pay Rs 5 lakh as compensation to the family of a person who was killed in an accident involving a cow in Isanpur.
The high court insisted that there should be a policy in this regard. In its proposal to the state government, the municipal commissioner wrote that the formation of such a compensation policy is also required, considering the orders passed by the State Human Rights Commission.
The AMC has communicated that there is a policy by the state government to award compensation in case of a death caused in an attack by a wild animal, and on this line, a policy of compensation for death caused by an attack by stray cattle can be formed.
However, there is no policy to curb stray cattle menace on public streets.
As AMC’s reply was filed on the day of hearing, petitioner’s advocate Angesh Panchal sought time from the court.