Chhattisgarh Acts on Supreme Court Order: Nodal Officers Appointed for Stray Animals

Chhattisgarh Education Department appoints nodal officers to manage stray animals near schools following a Supreme Court directive. The initiative aims to ensure safety and prevent incidents like a recent event that spoiled midday meals. Local governments must coordinate removal, adhering to new public safety measures.

Reacting promptly to the Supreme Court's directive to manage stray animals, the Chhattisgarh Education Department has appointed nodal officers to handle incidents involving stray animals near school premises. State Education Minister Gajendra Yadav emphasized the urgency of monitoring stray dogs and cattle within school grounds to prevent accidents and disturbances.

Minister Yadav cited a recent incident in Baroda Bazar where a stray dog disrupted midday meal preparations, causing significant financial loss. This prompted the educational authorities to instruct immediate actions to inform municipal bodies and local panchayats about the stray animal presence, urging a solution for their removal.

Emphasizing that the teachers' duties remain unaffected, Yadav clarified that no educator is specifically assigned to monitor stray animals. Instead, local administrations are required to ensure educational, medical, and other public areas are secure from stray dogs, including proper inspections and safe transfer to shelters.

(With inputs from agencies.)