The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) has decided to issue stringent rules and regulations for the NGOs implementing dog sterilisation project. Apparently, the civic body has found flaws in the implementation of the project by the NGOs.

As per the new rule, the organisations will now have to submit the testicles and uterus of the sterilised dogs as record. This has been done for the first time, civic officials said.

“We have invited the organisations as part of the routine procedure. The only difference this time is that we have decided to apply strict rules and regulations laid by the Animal Welfare Board of India. They will have to follow the rules so that we can get proper data. After verification, they will have to dispose of the organs,” said Deputy Municipal Commissioner A O Sharma.

A couple of organisations are doing the sterilisation work at the moment and a new contract is expected to be awarded soon after due procedure.

Recently, the Opposition in the civic body had raised doubts about the credibility of the project. The state government is also allocating Rs 20 lakh to sterilise 5,000 dogs but the animal NGOs have not been able to achieve the target.

At present, Rs 425 is given for sterilising each dog. The NGOs have been citing lack of funds or delay in their clearance for the present state of affairs.

The opposition party had alleged that despite VMC spending about Rs 20 lakh on the sterilisation project, every day about 80 people are victims of dog bite.

Opposition leader Chirag Zaveri had also raised the issue of lack of accountability on part of the organisations.

“These NGOs are getting money for doing the job but there is no system through which the civic body can tally the exact number of dogs sterilised. A proper inquiry should be initiated in the matter,” he said.