Ludhiana: The Punjab State and Chandigarh (UT) Human Rights Commission has directed the Municipal Corporation (MC) Commissioner to submit a detailed report one week before the next hearing date. Failing this, the responsible officer must appear in person to explain why action under Section 16 of the Human Rights Act should not be initiated. These orders were issued because, during the previous hearing, the MC commissioner was asked to provide data regarding the sterilization of stray dogs. The commission noted that despite orders issued on December 23, 2025, neither a communication nor a report has been received from the department. Consequently, the commission has now granted a final opportunity to the civic body to comply.Evasive EvidenceIn a complaint filed by advocate Gaurav Arora, it was highlighted that public grievances regarding the unchecked stray dog menace, frequent bite incidents, and a lack of visible sterilization or vaccination continue to rise. While the MC stated that a contract exists with a private firm for anti-rabies vaccinations, the complainant alleged that no documentary proof of actual drives, medical records, or independent monitoring has been provided. The report filed by the MC was deemed evasive and incomplete, failing to address core issues. Furthermore, the MC has not disclosed expenditure details, payments made to the contractor, or the verification methods used to ensure vaccinations were actually administered to the animals.Accountability CrisisThe reply remains silent on accountability and the mechanism to safeguard citizens’ rights to health and safety under Article 21 of the Constitution. The complainant argued that merely awarding a contract does not constitute sufficient compliance; instead, transparency and verifiable action are required. Failure to provide these details raises serious doubts regarding the program’s implementation. Accordingly, the complainant requested the PSHRC to direct the MC to file a comprehensive action-taken report featuring date-wise and area-wise records. The MC must now submit certified documents, including the number of dogs tagged or sterilized, supported by photographs and videos, while clarifying budget allocations. Additionally, the commission has been urged to appoint an independent monitoring team or veterinary experts to verify the program’s execution.
