Maharashtra Animal Welfare Board
The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), a constitutional board for the welfare of animals, has been set up under the provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. The board is headquartered in Ballabhgarh, in Faridabad, Haryana. Maharashtra Animal Welfare Board, Pune is established to monitor animal welfare laws in the state as per the instructions of the Central Government to protect animals from unnecessary pain.
Maharashtra Animal Welfare Board
- A Member of Parliament/Legislative Assembly from the State appointed by the Government to this Board is the Chairman and Vice Chairman.
- Ex-officio Members – Principal Secretary (AHD), Commissioner (Animal Husbandry), Commissioner (Dairy), Commissioner (Fisheries), Commissioner (Agriculture), Chief Forest Officer (Wildlife), Director General of Police, Commissioner (Transport), General Manager, Deonar Animal Slaughter House.
- Ex-officio Member Secretary – Additional Commissioner Animal Husbandry
- A total of 12 members have been constituted, including 2 non-official members from Greater Mumbai area nominated by the government and 10 non-official members from other parts of the state.
- The term of the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and 12 non-official members of this Board is three years from the date of their appointment.
- The president and vice-president were elected in July 2016 and the 12 non-official members were elected in June 2017. Their three-year terms have expired and new appointment is proposed.
District Level Animal Cruelty Prevention Society (SPCA)
- The district collector is the ex-officio chairman of the committee.
- District Animal Husbandry Deputy Commissioner is ex-officio Member Secretary
- Ex-officio members are District Superintendent of Police, Chief Executive Officer (GP), Regional Transport Officer, District Forest Officer, District Education Officer, District Information Officer, Representative of Municipal Corporation
- A total of 21-22 members have been constituted, including 10-11 non-official members nominated by the government.
- Non-government members have been appointed by the government in all districts.
- The term of the non-official members of this Board is three years from the date of their appointment.
- The society has been registered in all the districts.
Functions and objectives
- To implement the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and the rules applicable there under.
- Make great efforts for the welfare of animals and protect them from unnecessary pain.
- To guide the State Government to implement the Prevention of Animal Cruelty Act
- To advise on the prevention of pain or confinement of animals during transportation.
- Minimal suffering to animals during transportation.
- To provide proper guidance to the farmers so that proper shelter, water, medical treatment, etc. are made available to the animals.
- To guide governments or local bodies to improve the structure of slaughterhouses to avoid the initial unnecessary pain that occurs while slaughtering animals.
- To recommend financial assistance to animal welfare institutions and encourage setting up of such animal welfare institutions under their own control.
- Advising the State Government regarding veterinary treatment provided in veterinary clinics run by NGO’s to create awareness among the people to have compassion for animals not to torture them
- Organizing fairs, training camps, printing of books, dissemination through telecommunications media.
District Level Animal Cruelty Prevention Society (SPCA)
- To monitor various rules applicable under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, such as the Transport of Animals Rules 2011, Slaughterhouses Rules 2001, The Control of The Birth Rate of Dogs, etc.
- Registration of societies. Accepting different types of donations. To provide grants from the State Government from the District Fund.
- Conduct necessary inspections and reports for registration of shops/establishments under pet shop rules and dog breeding and marketing rules
- To create a system for the treatment of animals and to take the help of government veterinary institutions in the district for this. Expansion of District Veterinary Hospital
- To implement ABC (Animal Birth Control) programme in the district. To arrange Training of ABC.
- Identify 1-4 acres of land within a distance of 15-20 km from the district headquarters and give it to SPCA. Prepare a plan of SPCA for this. At least 2-3 inspection officers should be appointed.
- Creating and executing a Helpline number of the district.