Margao: Even as the number of stray dogs sterilised under Goa’s Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme rose from 13,074 in 2023 to 14,324 in 2025, state govt’s budget for the scheme was cut by half over the same period, according to a written reply tabled in the recently concluded assembly session.Minister for animal husbandry & veterinary services Nilkanth Halarnkar, replying to a question by MLA Vijai Sardesai, told the House that funds allocated under the “Goa Small Animal Rescue Management Scheme 2014 (Amended)” fell from Rs 3 crore in 2023-24 to Rs 2.5 crore in 2024-25. The latter was subsequently increased by Rs 19.18 lakh through re-appropriation. The allocation was further reduced to Rs 1.5 crore in 2025-26.The figures also showed that only Rs 1.7 crore of the Rs 3 crore allocation in 2023-24 was released and utilised, leaving Rs 1.2 crore unspent. In 2024-25, the revised allocation of Rs 2.7 crore was fully released and utilised, while Rs 1.4 crore of the Rs 1.5 crore allocation was utilised in 2025-26.Grants-in-aid sanctioned to NGOs and local bodies under the scheme for sterilisation and shelter operations stood at Rs 1.3 crore in 2023-24 and rose to Rs 2.2 crore in 2024-25. The amount fell to Rs 1.1 crore in 2025-26 and stood at Rs 92.8 lakh so far in 2026-27.Halarnkar told the assembly that implementation of the ABC programme is “the statutory responsibility of the local bodies” under the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023. Local authorities can engage animal welfare organisations recognised by the Animal Welfare Board of India for the programme.The state govt also acknowledged in the assembly that a large number of village panchayats across Goa lack land or designated facilities for cattle pounds and dog shelters.The reply further revealed that Bicholim and Canacona municipal councils are currently operating without valid agreements with NGOs for ABC activities, as the MoUs previously signed with animal welfare organisations have lapsed. The remaining 12 municipal councils have active MoUs in place.
