[Stray Cattle Menace] Gujarat High Court says it is disturbed; asks State to come up with concrete steps

The Gujarat High Court on Tuesday said it was disturbed to see the stray cattle menace in Ahmedabad and other major cities in the State and ordered the authorities to come up with concrete measures to tackle the issue..A bench of Chief Justice (CJ) Aravind Kumar and Justice Ashutosh J Shastri said that it has never seen any police constable patrolling the streets of Ahmedabad, especially spots which are badly affected by the stray cattle. "I have never seen any police constable at any important places in Ahmedabad. You can see one or two at only one or two places but nowhere beyond those places. Only you all (authorities) can come with a solution easily," Chief Justice Kumar remarked..Pursuant to the orders passed on October 17, the State's Director General of Police (DGP), Commissioner of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) and other officers of the State were present in the court on Tuesday.Advocate General (AG) Kamal Trivedi, appearing for the State government, sought time to come up with better measures.However, the bench showed him a story covered by a tabloid highlighting the prevailing cattle menace at major spots in Ahmedabad city. "We are very very disturbed to see all this," the Chief Justice remarked.To this, AG Trivedi responded that the State would come up with positive measures but needs time for the same. "What I propose is, during the festive season, we all will sit together and come out with a concrete proposal for controlling cattle menace. We have increased patrolling. It's not that we haven't worked in fact all departments have worked like anything," the AG said. .Further, the AG tried to justify how expansion of city limits has contributed to the problem. However, CJ Kumar handed over a small chit to the AG. After reading the same, the AG responded, "We will ensure that your perception is changed."However, CJ Kumar bemoaned the fact that most of the schemes envisaged for protection of cattle have remained only on paper and that the authorities must implement the same in letter and spirit. .The bench, therefore, granted time to the State till November 15 to discuss and come with some better proposal to curb cattle menace. "But you will have to ensure that no untoward incident takes place during this festive season," CJ told to the AG..During the course of the hearing, the bench also took suo motu cognizance of the tragic death of a 35-year-old man, who died because of a cattle attack. The bench expressed its displeasure over the Rs 2 lakh compensation announced by the AMC for the man's family."Mr. AG, we aren't happy at all. What is this ₹2 lakh? He (the deceased) was merely 35 (years)... Too small kid he was... Also, what sin he committed? You give ₹3 lakh even to victims of hooch tragedy, so why can't you just enhance this ₹2 lakh? Please enhance this amount or we will pass orders," CJ Kumar orally observed..However, Senior Advocate Mihir Joshi representing the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, opposed this suggestion saying the taxpayers money cannot be used like this. He said that a policy decision needs to be taken on this and lastly suggested not to enhance the amount. The bench said it was understanding that it is taxpayers money but emphasised that if the money is spent out of the civic body's pocket, it would be more vigilant. "Now (after enhancing amount) you will be more vigilant on this issue. However, we would give you liberty to recover the amount from the cattle owner too. But this amount of ₹2 lakh is too less," CJ Kumar maintained..Despite the court's suggestion, Joshi argued that the civic body will have to take a proper policy decision in this regard and thus the amount cannot be enhanced liked this."We thought you (AMC) will be gracious enough to pay an enhanced compensation. But we were probably wrong. Now pay ₹5 lakh by Wednesday since your commissioner is present in the court today," the bench ordered. The matter would be next heard on November 15.