Registering a protest against the decision of Maharashtra Government to start three-year diploma course to be opted for after Class XII in Veterinary Science, the students pursuing degree courses locked the gate of Maharashtra Animal and Fisheries Sciences University office at Nagpur on Monday. According to the students, Government is already running two-year Diploma course to be done after Class X. These Diploma-holders are not expected to act as doctors. Unfortunately, most such diploma holders are working in rural areas, pretending as doctors. Students alleged that these diploma holders have become a menace, as despite lack of knowledge, people consider them as doctors. This is lowering the quality of veterinary sciences. Veterinary Council of India (VCI) failed to control bogus practices by these diploma holders, pointed out the agitated students.

 

Students have also alleged that on one hand, the diploma colleges are producing the so-called doctors but on the other, those pursuing degrees are not getting jobs. “Even if Government started diploma courses, the courses should have been called as Para-Vet. But Government did not pay heed to our demand. Once the Government gives approval to such courses, new colleges will be opened. Common public doesn’t understand the difference between degree and diploma so these diploma holders will be treated as doctors. It may bring the life of livestock into trouble,” cautioned students. The students also objected the move by Maharashtra Minister for animal husbandry Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil to start new private college. Students feel that Government has already planned to start its own veterinary colleges. This will pave way to mushrooming of veterinary colleges. It will result in more unemployed veterinary doctors. Instead, the Government should prepare a plan for creating jobs for over 1,000 existing unemployed degree holders, demanded students.