It’s been over a year since the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) shifted out of its Chennai office, amidst much outcry from animal lovers and activists bemoaning the departure of the 56-year-old central government institution from the city. The administration said that the move was in keeping with the rules, which reportedly mandates that the AWBI function out of Delhi. An RTI query has now found that the AWBI’s old Chennai office is being used for other purposes, in violation of its original lease.
According to the Tamil Nadu government's notification dated February 1, 1991, the land lease was granted by then Chief Minister M Karunanidhi solely for the purpose of operating the AWBI office. The office was originally donated to the Board by renowned dancer and social activist Rukmini Devi Arundale. The office, located in the posh Valmiki Nagar area of Thiruvanmiyur in Chennai, has a built-up area of 1,400 square meters, with an open car park and a staff quarters. The Revenue Department lease issued by the then DMK government further specifies, “The land shall not be utilised for any purpose other than the said purpose.”
However, an RTI query by animal rights activist Antony Rubin reveals that the first floor of the Chennai office has been 'handed over' to the official of the National Biodiversity Authority, Chennai. In response to a question on the current condition of the AWBI office in Chennai, the agency states, “At present the office of AWBI at Chennai is lying vacant.” (sic). However, when asked about whether the AWBI office in Chennai was being used by the AWBI or any other government department, it said, "The first floor of the Chennai office is handed over to the official of the National Bio-diversity Authority (sic).”
Speaking to TNM, Antony says, “The shift was uncalled for. A lot of investment has gone into building a dedicated space for the AWBI here in Chennai. People from all over India were working in the office. What was the need to shift the entire office? A lot of papers could have gone missing or untraceable during the move.” According to the RTI, a total of Rs 21,29,268 have gone into the move from Chennai to Ballabhgarh in the National Capital Region, including money spent on travel allowance and packers and movers.
The AWBI had also said that the move was part of the “three-tier” system with a national board, state boards and district boards. Then Chairman SP Gupta had told TNM that they planned to keep the Chennai office running as a regional one, overseeing animal welfare in south Indian states. Antony points out that this too has not been done. “There are no representatives on the Board from Tamil Nadu despite the state having a robust film industry which requires multiple clearances and facing periodic issues like jallikattu. The AWBI now falls under the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying. So do they want to make it only a cow board to protect cows? What about other animals and complex issues?” he asks.
In January last year, addressing a press conference in Chennai, then AWBI Chairman SP Gupta had said, “As per the rules, this(office) has to be at Delhi. I have spoken to all employees here. They are all willing to go to Delhi.” In a shocking admission, the RTI reveals that as many as seven staff members, including temporary and outsourced employees, left their job after the shift from Chennai.