Parliament Question: Animal Welfare Organisations

O.I.H GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING LOK SABHA ADMITTED STARRED QUESTION NO. *239 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05TH AUGUST, 2025 ANIMAL WELFARE ORGANISATIONS *239. SHRI BRIJMOHAN AGRAWAL: Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING मत्स्यपालन, पशुपालन और डेयरी मंत्री be pleased to state: (a) the process of accreditation of Animal Welfare Organisation (AWO) along with the list of all the accredited AWOs in the country; (b) the details of various grant-in-aid schemes of the Animal Welfare Board during the last five financial years; (c) the details and number of complaints of animal cruelty registered in the country during the said period and the action taken by the Government thereon, State and Union Territory-wise particularly Chhattisgarh; and (d) the details and number of awareness programmes/campaigns launched by the Government to prevent the incidents of animal cruelty in the country during the last three years? ANSWER THE MINISTER FOR FISHERIES ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH) (a) to (d) Statement is laid on the Table of the House.STATEMENT REFERRED IN REPLY OF LOKSABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.239 PART (a) to (d) ON ANIMAL WELFARE ORGANIZATION (a) The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) does not have accreditation system for Animal Welfare Organisations (AWOs). However, the AWBI recognizes AWOs, including NGOs, Trusts, and Section 8 Companies, which are generally registered under the respective state laws such as the Societies Registration Act, Trust Act, Companies Act, or Gaushala Act. Since 2022, for recognition by AWBI, such organizations are required to obtain a Unique Identification Number (UIN) by registering on the DARPAN portal of NITI Aayog, and must have been actively engaged in animal welfare activities for a minimum period of three years. To facilitate this process, the AWBI has developed an online application portal (www.awbi.gov.in) through which eligible organizations may submit their applications. As of now, a total of 3,587 Animal Welfare Organisations, including Gaushalas, have been recognized across the country since inception, of which 945 are registered on the DARPAN portal.The list of recognized Animal Welfare Organizations is available on the website of the Animal Welfare Board of India https://awbi.gov.in/uploads/documents/175388176646Update%20Recognition%20list%20 dt.%2010.07.2025_compressed.pdf. (b) The Animal Welfare Board of India implemented the following schemes during the last five financial years: (i) Regular and Rescue Cattle Grant: Financial assistance was provided to recognized Animal Welfare Organisations (AWOs) as regular grants for maintenance of animal shelters, veterinary care, feed and fodder, etc., as per prescribed norms. Assistance was also extended for the care of animals rescued from illegal transportation, upon submission of a relevant First Information Report (FIR). The grant for such rescued animals was admissible for a maximum period of two years in cases involving pending litigation. (ii) Scheme for Shelter Houses for Animals: Assistance was provided to recognized AWOs and Societies for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCAs) for the construction of boundary walls, shelters, water tanks, drainage systems, in-house dispensaries, procurement of medical equipment, and meeting contingency requirements. A maximum grant of ₹22.50 lakh is provided, excluding a mandatory 10% contribution from the applicant organization. (iii) Scheme for Provision of Ambulance Services for Animals in Distress: Recognized AWOs were provided assistance for the purchase and modification of suitable vehicles to function as ambulances for the rescue and emergency treatment of animals in distress. The scheme covered 90% of the cost, with a grant-in-aid limited to ₹3.50 lakh for the vehicle and ₹1.00 lakh for equipment and fittings. (iv) Scheme for Birth Control and Immunization of Stray Dogs: Recognized AWOs were supported under this scheme for carrying out sterilization and immunization of stray dogs. Financial assistance was provided up to ₹445 per dog, as per the scheme guidelines.(v) Scheme for Relief to Animals during Natural Calamities: Assistance was extended to AWOs, State Governments/UT Administrations, and local bodies for providing immediate relief to animals affected by natural calamities such as floods, droughts, and earthquakes. Support included provision of fodder, shelter, medical attention, and other essential relief measures. The financial assistance provided by the AWBI under the different schemes during the last five years as under: (Rs. In lakh) Scheme 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 Regular Grant 130 199 445 408 39.98 Animal Birth 2.12 - - - - Control Ambulance 49.41 48.56 48.65 - - Natural 2.0 - 5.0 - - Calamity Shelter Grant 150 150 70.03 42.22 30.24 Total 333.53 397.56 568.68 450.22 70.22 The aforementioned schemes have been revised and modified by the Central Government to be implemented from 2025-26 by the Animal Welfare Board of India as follows: (i) Scheme for Animal Shelter seeking grants in aid for old, distress, homeless, injured and sick animals for which assistance will provided to Urban Local Bodies, Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) up to Rs. 27 lakh and 15 lakh for establishment of large and small animal shelter houses (ii) Scheme for providing financial assistance for veterinary care and rescued animals: Assistance will be provide to the Gaushalas, Pinjrapoles, SPCAs, ULBs, or Government Institutions based on the capacity of animals from Rs. 25000 to Rs. 10 lakh for veterinary care of animals sheltered by them and rescuing of animals from illegal transportation and slaughtering.. (iii) Scheme for Birth Control and immunization of stray dogs: Assistance is provided up to Rs. 800/- per dog and Rs. 600/- for cats to SPCAs and Local Bodies, for carrying out the Animal Birth Control programme as per the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023. Further, the scheme also envisaged Assistance to the Government Veterinary Dispensaries of the State Animal Husbandry Departments upto Rs. 2.0 cr to upgrade the same to Animal Birth Control Unit, interested in conducting dog sterilization as per the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023(c) The subject of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals falls under the Concurrent List (List III) of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 contains enabling provisions for imposing penalties on persons found guilty of cruelty towards animals. While complaints of animal cruelty are primarily addressed by the local administration and law enforcement authorities under the respective State Governments, the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) also plays an active role. Upon receiving complaints of cruelty to animals from various parts of the country, the AWBI pursues such matters by forwarding them to the concerned State Governments, District Magistrates, Collectors, and Superintendents of Police for necessary action under prevailing laws. Over the last five years, the AWBI has referred a total of 4,939 complaints to the respective authorities for action. Year-wise details of complaints received and action taken are available on the official AWBI website at the following link: https://awbi.gov.in/Cruelty As regards the State of Chhattisgarh, 20 complaints were addressed by the AWBI over the past five years. (d) Over the last three years, the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) has undertaken several initiatives to raise public awareness and promote animal welfare. These efforts include organizing 15 awareness and training programmes and issuing 35 advisories and circulars addressing various welfare concerns. Beginning this year, the Central Government has instituted Animal Husbandry and Animal Welfare Month, to be observed annually from January 14 to February 13. For the current year, with the campaign extended until March 13, a wide range of activities have been carried out by this Department and various State Governments. These include one national-level webinar, 672 health check-up camps, 641 infertility camps, 598 awareness camps and Gosthis, 408 vaccination camps, 118 workshops, 126 programmes for Gaushalas, 100 competitions in schools and colleges, 38 calf rallies, 35 livestock fairs, 30 milk competitions or pure breed competitions, 16 online webinars, 9 radio and television programmes, and 495 other outreach activities. The AWBI continues to promote animal welfare through a range of educational and awareness initiatives. It collaborates with State Governments and Animal Welfare Organizations (AWOs) to organize seminars, workshops, and campaigns. The Board has published handbooks on animal welfare laws and population management, and conducts training for Honorary Animal Welfare Representatives, Colony Animal Caretakers, Gaushala personnel, and police officials to encourage community involvement and strengthen enforcement. Regular meetings with State Animal Welfare Boards support the effective implementation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. To recognize outstanding contributions in the field of animal welfare, AWBI also confers national-level honours such as the Prani Mitra and Jeev Daya Awards. *****