Bhopal, February 17: The Madhya Pradesh Assembly witnessed a serious discussion on the growing menace of stray dogs during the second day of the ongoing budget session.
Congress MLA Atif Akil raised the issue under a notice of attention, highlighting the alarming increase in stray dogs and incidents of dog bites in Bhopal. Akil, who is serving as an MLA for the first time from the Bhopal North constituency, criticized the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) for spending ₹2 crore on sterilization and vaccination, yet the stray dog population continues to rise.
He informed the assembly that there are daily reports of 40 to 50 dog bite incidents, predominantly involving children and the elderly. Akil stated, “The BMC captures several dogs daily for sterilization and vaccination, but the stray dog problem shows no signs of abating. This issue has escalated beyond mere fear or inconvenience; it has become a serious public health concern and a failure of administration.”
In response, senior BJP leader and Madhya Pradesh Urban Development Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya stated that a dog squad has been established within the BMC to take immediate action upon receiving information.
Minister Vijayvargiya reported that 26,900 dogs have been vaccinated in the current financial year, and 5,023 anti-rabies vaccines are available. He denied any fatalities due to dog bites in Bhopal. He remarked, “Dogs become aggressive when they are hungry and do not find food. Our tradition has been to offer the first roti to cows and the last to dogs, along with leaving flour for ants.”
During the discussion, light banter occurred between Congress and BJP leaders, creating a humorous atmosphere in the assembly. Congress MLA Bhawarsingh Shekhawat sarcastically noted that while Kailash Vijayvargiya is a minister, he is not paying enough attention to this issue. Meanwhile, BJP MLA Umakant Sharma quipped, “This is the first time I’ve heard that dogs can be terrorists.”
Former Assembly Speaker Sitasaran Sharma and BJP MLA Shailendra Kumar Jain also raised concerns about the shortage of anti-rabies injections, demanding adequate availability.
Later, Congress MLA and Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar criticized the BJP, stating that the state government is unwilling to discuss deaths caused by contaminated drinking water but is eager to debate the dog issue. Singhar remarked, “The Madhya Pradesh government is ready to discuss the dog problem but not the issue of contaminated water, which is far more serious. Congress seeks a detailed discussion on the deaths of at least 35 people in the Bhagirathpura area of Indore due to contaminated water. This clearly reflects the seriousness of the BJP government.”
My name is Himanshu Tiwari. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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