Apart from the permanent posts, the government has also proposed to appoint 400 more veterinary workers on contract basis. | Photo credit: MURALI KUMAR K
Animal Husbandry Minister K. Venkatesh said on Wednesday that the process to fill 400 permanent vacancies of veterinary officers in the state is going on through the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) and the recruitment is expected to be completed soon.
Responding to BJP members DS Arun, Hemalatha Nayak and SV Sankanur in the Legislative Council, the minister said the appointment would help address the shortage of veterinarians in government veterinary hospitals, clinics and mobile veterinary units across the state.
Apart from the permanent posts, the government has also proposed to appoint 400 more veterinary officers on contract basis, he said, pointing out that the proposal is currently being examined by the finance ministry.
K Venkatesh photo credit: K. MURALI KUMAR
Mr. Venkatesh said that once the vacancies are filled, 50 posts of veterinary officers will be allotted to the Kalyana region of Karnataka where there is shortage of veterinary services.
Approved strength
Members sought details of sanctioned strength and vacancies of Veterinary Doctors, Veterinary Inspectors and Support Staff in Government Veterinary Hospitals, Veterinary Clinics and Mobile Veterinary Units across the state and Kalyana Karnataka region. They have also asked the government to provide the district information about vacancies.
Lawmakers further sought to ascertain the number of veterinarians appointed in the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Section over the past three years and the government’s steps to fill existing vacancies.
Members also asked if the government had done any study on the impact of the shortage of veterinarians on farmers and ranchers, particularly with regard to cattle disease control, vaccination programs, milk production and farmers’ incomes.
Initiated steps
In response, the minister said that the government was taking steps to fill up the vacancies and strengthen veterinary services in the state.
The minister further informed the House that the mobile veterinary units that provide treatment to livestock are currently being run under the Union Government scheme and operate between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM. The state government has asked the Center to consider extending or modifying the operating hours, he added.
Published – 11 March 2026 19:43 IST
