Orissa HC Directs SPCA President-District Collector To Release Rs.1 Lakh For Maintenance Of Cattle At Gosala, Orders His Appearance

The Orissa High Court on Monday passed an interim order directing the District Collector of Dhenkanal, who is also the ex-officio President of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Dhenkanal to pay Rs.1,00,000 to the Petitioner Gosala for maintenance of cattle therein.

The Shree Gopal Gosala, Angul had approached the High Court being aggrieved by the stoppage of funds being given by the District administration to the Gosala.

The Gosala was entrusted with 388 cattle by the District Administration, that were seized during illegal transportation. The Petitioner Gosala alleged that though the District administration had assured that adequate funds will be provided for maintenance of the cattle, it stopped providing funds after a few months.   

Advocate S.B.Panda appeared for the Petitioner while R.P.Mohapatra appeared for the District Collector.

"Looking to the huge number of cattle involved and entrusted for its care and maintenance to the Petitioner, it appears, the State is lacking in discharging its responsibility", Justice Biswanath Rath observed.

The Court noted that the condition of a large number of cattle is getting deteriorating.  Hence, the Court directed the District Collector to appear before the Court on May 2. 

"Put up this matter on 2.5.2022, on which date at 10.30 A.M., the Collector & District Magistrate-cum-Ex-Officio President of Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Dhenkanal, O.P.1 shall appear before this Court and explain the situation involving 388 numbers of cattle involved herein", the Court directed.

The Court also directed the District Collector to pay Rupees One Lakh to the Petitioner by Wednsday. 

The Court clarified that "..if in the meantime, there is adequate arrangement for maintenance of such huge number of cattle, there may not be personal appearance of the Collector, Dhenkanal and an affidavit to this effect may be filed".

Click here to read/download Order