Kerala High Court Flags Lack Of Veterinary Care In Lakshadweep, Seeks Explanation For Unfilled Posts

The Kerala High Court has expressed concern over the continued absence of veterinary services in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep and has directed the Union Territory Administration to place detailed material on record explaining why sanctioned posts of Veterinary Surgeons remain unfilled.A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Ziyad Rahman A.A. was hearing a public interest litigation highlighting the lack of adequate veterinary care in Lakshadweep Islands. The petitioner has sought a direction to the Union Territory Administration to ensure that a sufficient number of Veterinary Surgeons are available to attend the livestock in each of the inhabited islands. The High Court has previously disposed of a public interest litigation in 2022, directing authorities to expeditiously finalise appointments of veterinary surgeons and other staff in the Union Territory. The Bench noted that the Court in the earlier public interest litigation recorded that no veterinary care had been provided since September 2021. “It is evident that no substantial progress has been made even after these observations recorded in March 2022” Court noted. During the hearing, the Union Territory Administration informed the Court that it was in the process of appointing five Veterinary Surgeons on a contract basis. However, the Bench observed that this position was inconsistent with earlier statements made to the Court. Records, including a 2020 notification of the Union Public Service Commission, indicated the existence of at least nine permanent sanctioned posts of Veterinary Assistant Surgeon, apart from earlier commitments to fill nine positions on a contractual basis“The present stand, however, indicates that the number has now been revised to five…Therefore, prima facie, once there exist sanctioned permanent posts, the Administration will have to justify the non-filling of such posts with adequate explanation and supporting material.” Court added. The Court also noted that the petition was earlier disposed of on the statement that nine posts would be filled on a contract basis. It questioned how the proposed number of appointments was reduced from nine to five without seeking modification or review of earlier court orders.Accordingly, the Bench directed the Lakshadweep Administration to file a detailed counter-affidavit explaining the exact number of sanctioned posts with supporting staffing records, the reasons for not filling those posts, and the basis for revising the earlier commitment of appointing nine Veterinary Surgeons down to fiveAs an interim measure, the Court ordered the Administration to invite applications and expressions of interest from local non-governmental organisations willing to provide veterinary care, so that livestock health does not suffer due to bureaucratic delays. The Court also expressed the expectation that contractual appointments, subject to further orders, should be completed before the next hearing.The matter has been posted on 7 January 2026 for further consideration. Case Title: Dr. CP Abdul Kabeer v Union Territory of Lakshadweep and Ors. Case No: WP(PIL) 64/ 2025Counsel for Petitioner: K M Firoz, Aashique Akthar HajjigothiCounsel for Respondents: R V Sreejith, Sajith Kumar, Benraj K R, Jaisankar V Nair, Thomas Mathew NellimoottilClick Here To Read/ Download Interim Order

Kerala High Court Flags Lack Of Veterinary Care In Lakshadweep, Seeks Explanation For Unfilled Posts

Anamika MJ

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