Superannuation of a Super Secretary

Pashu Sandesh, 31 July 2022

Retirement is the beginning of a new journey and surely Atul Chaturvedi, Secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry (AH) and Dairying, GOI would embark on one after his retirement today. Atul Chaturvedi an IAS of 1986 batch from the Assam And Meghalaya cadre was appointed as the Secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry (AH) on 01 August 2019, under the Ministry of Fisheries, AH and Dairy which was a newly formed Ministry after being separated from the Ministry of Agriculture. 

The Ministry was new and appointed as the Secretary of the Animal Husbandry Department carried a huge burden of expectations both from the Government and the stakeholders alike, Atul Chaturvedi carried out the task to the hilt with few blemishes as well. However, his exceptional management to meet-out the demands of Milk producers and consumers during the COVID epidemic is one of the few stories resilient India has put in her fight against COVID. He was also instrumental in bringing out to the fore the Animal Husbandry sector as a revenue-generating industry which was still then lurking behind the shadows of the Agriculture sector despite making huge contributions to the Indian Economy. Atul Chaturvedi created an environment and positive belief that if India was to become a 5 trillion dollar economy then the role of the Animal Husbandry sector can’t be ignored and neglected. He made a case for the Animal Husbandry sector which was reflected in the phenomenal boost in the Annual Budget allocations by the Central Government to initiate and run various schemes benefitting Animal Husbandry and the farmers.

Let's explore the Hits and misses of Atul Chaturvedi’s tenure as the Secretary of the Animal Husbandry Department

Hits:

• Doorstep delivery of veterinary services through Mobile Veterinary ambulances under the scheme- Establishment & Strengthening of Veterinary Hospitals & Dispensaries- Mobile Veterinary Units.
• Rs. 1,5000 crore Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) under Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan stimulus package.
• Dedicated efforts in the field of sex-sorted semen and IVF.  
• Formation of National advisory committee for animal husbandry and dairying sector.
• Rs 1,04,580 Crore credit target for Animal Husbandry and Dairying during 2022-23.
• Developed healthy relations between ministry and industry. 

Misses:

• Administrative failure in the implementation of the National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP). Substandard vaccines reached the field and nobody was held accountable. Last year FMD outbreaks were witnessed throughout the country.
• Targets of AI were unpractical in National Artificial Insemination Programme (NAIP), which resulted in mass false reporting.
• No remarkable work in the feed and fodder production, which is the fuel of the animal husbandry sector. 

Atul Chaturvedi has retired today but has left behind a shining legacy and a large shoe to fill. The road he has laid and the direction he has shown to the Animal Husbandry Department will certainly ease out the work of his successors. Pashu Sandesh wishes every luck and healthy retired life to Shri Atul Chaturvedi. May we see you performing different roles for the betterment of the Animal Husbandry sector but for now Goodbye Shri Atul Chaturvedi Ji.