Maneka urges Vardhan to look into 'serious irregularities' committed by animal welfare panel

A welfare committee formed to prevent misuse of animals in films and events has committed "serious irregularities", Union minister Maneka Gandhi has said in a letter to Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan, and urged him to look into the matter.

A nine-member Performing Animal Sub-Committee (PASC) was formed by Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) to evaluate applications for use of animal performances. A filmmaker planning to use animal performances need clearance from them.

"I have been informed that serious irregularities are routinely taking place at the meetings of PASC which amount to violations of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 and more," Gandhi wrote in the letter.

She said PASC allowed the use of monkeys in TV serials such as 'Swami Ramdev-Ek Sangharsh' and 'Badho Bahu', TV show 'Dus Ka Dum', Malyalam film 'Nieraali' and Marathi film 'Pani Bani'.

She cited an instance on a Bengali TV serial 'Prothom Protisruti', when PASC reportedly allowed use of a goat for performance.

"The nature of the act has been recorded as depiction of the goat with a tiki and a garland which is indicative of animal sacrifice. In the light of the orders of the Supreme Court for AWBI, especially for West Bengal for conducting an outreach against animal sacrifice, this permission is in direct violation and contempt of court," she wrote.

"While AWBI has been liberally granting permissions for performances of bulls and bullocks, the entire country is aware that it is the Board that challenged the performance of bulls in the Supreme Court and as matters stand today, no bulls can be granted registration for performance, in compliance with the notification of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change.

"Under Section 22 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, the Centre has prohibited the performance of five species and these animals cannot be registered for exhibition or performance of any kind whatsoever. These are tiger, monkey, lion, bear and panther (includes all leopards)," she said in the letter.

She said exotic animals such as macaw parrots and ball pythons are granted certificates without even checking if the applicant has sourced the animal through legitimate means and has a CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) certificate for import of such invasive exotic wild species into India.

She urged the environment minister to look into the matter.

Urging the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change to set up an immediate inquiry and take steps under the Prevention of Corruption Act, animal rights activist Gauri Maulekhi said: "The AWBI has turned into a racketeer front which is violating the law with impunity. Instead of protection of animals, the apex body for animal welfare is actively engaging in exploitation of animals.