Animal Welfare Board of India Shifted Headquarters From Chennai to Haryana

Context :

The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) has shifted its headquarters from Chennai to Ballabhgarh of Haryana. The decision has been taken for better coordination between the board and the environment ministry.

Facts :

• Government has shifted headquarters of Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) to Ballabhgarh in Faridabad District of Haryana from Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
• It was shifted after consultation with AWBI for better coordination between the Environment Ministry and AWBI for carrying out the animal welfare activities.
• The Rule 3 of the Animal Welfare Board (Administrative) Rules, 1962 mentions that the headquarter of AWBI shall be at New Delhi or at such other place as central government, may, after consultation with the Board direct.

Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) :

• AWBI is a statutory advisory body established in 1962 under Section 4 of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. It frames a range of rules on how animals ought to be humanely treated everywhere. It has also frequently litigated to have stricter laws to ensure animals were not unduly harassed or tortured.
• Well-known humanitarian Rukmini Devi Arundale was instrumental in setting up the board and was its first chair.
• Initially it was within jurisdiction of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. Later in 1990, the subject of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was transferred to Environment Ministry.
• The Board consists of 28 Members, who serve for a period of 3 years. Its headquaters is located at Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Several government organisations, along with animal rights activists and parliamentarians, are represented on the Board.

Functions of Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) :

• It recognises Animal Welfare Organisations by granting them recognition if they meet its guidelines. It also appoints key people to the positions of (Hon) Animal Welfare Officers, who serve as the key point of contact between the people, the government and law enforcement agencies.
• It suggests changes to laws and rules about animal welfare issues. It also offers guidance to organisations and officials such as police to help them interpret and apply the laws.
• It issues publications to raise awareness of various animal welfare issues. Its education team gives talks on animal welfare subjects, and trains members of the community to be Certified Animal Welfare Educators
• It provides financial assistance to recognised AWOs, who submit applications to the Board. Categories of grants include Regular Grant, Cattle Rescue Grant, Provision of Shelter House for Animals, Animal Birth Control (ABC) Programme, Ambulance for animals in distress and Natural Calamity grant.
   

By: Harman Sandhu