Ratlam claims 33,000 dog sterilisations, just 2,204 found:Work done at lower than approved rates; officials and Jaipur NGO face probe

An investigation is underway into the complaint of a multi-crore scam in Ratlam in the name of dog sterilization. 33,630 dogs were sterilized in three years. A payment of Rs 2.29 crore was also made in the name of sterilization. But when a survey was conducted, only 2204 dogs were found. This raises the question of where the remaining 31,426 dogs disappeared. On whom was the expenditure made? The Municipal Corporation could not even provide the verification certificate after sterilization to the investigation team. This clearly indicates that corruption has been committed in the name of dog sterilization. Complaints of corruption have been made from the Ujjain Lokayukta to the Divisional Commissioner. The Lokayukta has almost completed its investigation. Dainik Bhaskar learned from the complainant and Lokayukta officials how a multi-crore scam was played out in dog sterilization. Ratlam city is teeming with dogs. Incidents of people being bitten are constantly reported. Regarding this, Councilor Bhawna Hitesh Paimal of Ward 1, Ratlam Municipal Corporation, had raised a question about dog sterilization and sought a reply in the general meeting of the Municipal Corporation on November 6, 25. The Municipal Corporation provided information about the sterilization of dogs from 2022 to 2025. Based on the information given to the councilor, the councilor accused the corporation officials of corruption. A complaint was filed with the Ujjain Lokayukta. Now know how the sterilization was done The information provided by the Municipal Corporation stated that 33630 dogs were sterilized by two firms in three years. Bills worth 2.58 crore rupees were submitted for sterilization. The corporation also paid 2.29 crore rupees. In stark contrast, when the Health Department conducted a survey in all five zones of the city in August, only 2204 sterilized dogs were found. Additionally, 3111 dogs were found that needed to be sterilized. In this situation, the Congress councilor raised the question of where the remaining 31426 sterilized dogs had disappeared. When no sterilized dogs were found in the survey, on what basis did the Municipal Corporation pay crores of rupees? The private firm performing the sterilization is Santulan Jeev Kalyan, which is from Jaipur, Rajasthan. Government rate 1650 rupees and charged 636 The government’s minimum rate for sterilization is 1650 rupees. Dogs have been sterilized at almost half the rate compared to this. Manipulation has also been found in the sterilization data. It has also come to light that the conditions in the sterilization tender were not followed. Following the complaint, Lokayukta Ujjain has summoned Rajendra Singh Panwar, the health officer of the Municipal Corporation, for a statement. The Lokayukta has seized the sterilization records. According to the Congress councilor, the Animal Welfare Board of India has fixed the minimum rate at 1650 rupees. The corporation got sterilization done at a rate of only 636 to 907 rupees at different times. How did a private firm perform sterilization at such a low cost? This is also a matter of investigation. These officers will be held responsible for the sterilization of dogs After a complaint of corruption in the name of dog sterilization was filed with the Lokayukta, there is a stir among corporation officials. Along with the then Commissioner, City Engineer, Health Officer and Engineer, those responsible from the sterilization firms Santulan Jeev Kalyan and The Care of Animal and Society may also come under the ambit of action. Some of the then officials have retired, while others have been transferred. Where the dogs went, no one knows There is no trace of the 31426 dogs that were sterilized. In the latest survey, 356 sterilized dogs were found in Zone 1, 379 in Zone 2, 590 in Zone 3, 468 in Zone 4, and 411 in Zone 5. Corporation officials have no information about where the rest went. There was preparation to pay 36 lakh rupees After the councilor’s complaint, the alleged corruption case in dog sterilization came to light, otherwise, the corporation officials had prepared to pay the remaining bills worth about 36 lakh rupees. In fact, so far the corporation has only got dogs sterilized by 2 private firms. Santulan Jeev Kalyan has been paid approximately 1.52 crore rupees in 3 installments. Meanwhile, The Care of Animal and Society firm has done this work 5 times from February 2024 to May 2025. It has been paid 76.44 lakh, while payment of approximately 36 lakh rupees is pending. In this entire matter, the current Municipal Corporation Commissioner Anil Bhana is not ready to say anything about it. He says that this entire matter is from before his posting. When and how much did the corporation pay in the name of sterilization? Note-(As per information provided by the Municipal Corporation to the Congress councillor) These officers were included in the sterilization committee The then Collector Kumar Purushottam had constituted the sterilization committee on January 21, 2022. In which a sterilization center was established at Julwania Trenching Ground with all necessary arrangements for the sterilization of stray dogs in the urban area. Information was given to authorize Santulan Jeev Kalyan Jaipur (Navish Nehra, Veterinarian) for catching and sterilizing stray dogs. Additionally, the sterilization team included Deputy Director Animal Husbandry Department Ratlam Manoj Sharma, then Deputy Commissioner Municipal Corporation Vikas Solanki, In-charge Health Officer G.K. Jaiswal, Executive Engineer Municipal Corporation Sureshchandra Vyas, and Assistant Health Officer A.P. Singh. Among these, Deputy Commissioner Solanki and Assistant Health Officer Singh have been transferred from Ratlam. While In-charge Health Officer Jaiswal and Executive Engineer Vyas have retired. All the said officers will come under the scanner in the Lokayukta’s investigation. Even three Commissioners have changed during this period. In such a situation, it is possible to interrogate everyone. (The letter regarding the formation of the committee is available with Dainik Bhaskar Digital ) Sterilization done at a rate even lower than the kit The Municipal Corporation got dogs sterilized 4 times by two private firms from 20222 to 2024. In return, payment was made at the rate of 786 rupees per dog 3 times and 636 rupees once. According to experts, this figure is under suspicion because the average cost of a sterilization kit itself is approximately 845 rupees, while according to government guidelines, the total cost is approximately 1600 rupees. In such a situation, how did private firms perform sterilization at such a low cost? While this includes their own vehicle, driver, two to three employees to catch dogs, catching dogs, sterilization, feeding and caring for five days after sterilization, doctor’s fees, etc. In such a situation, sterilization is not possible at a price even lower than the government rate. The Divisional Commissioner has sent a notice to the Municipal Commissioner. It clearly states that a complete report should be submitted regarding whether or not there was corruption in dog sterilization. Lokayukta’s investigation almost complete The investigation of this entire matter has been conducted by the Lokayukta. The Lokayukta summoned concerned officials of the Municipal Corporation to Ujjain and took their statements and other information. Based on this, the Lokayukta Ujjain prepared its report and sent it to the Lokayukta office in Bhopal. The final examination of the report is being done. So far, no evidence of physical verification of the sterilized dogs has been found in the Lokayukta’s investigation. Congress councilor’s husband Hitesh Paimal says that the tender rules and conditions for sterilization have not been followed. Sterilization has been done at a rate lower than that fixed by the government. A complaint has been lodged with the Lokayukta and Divisional Commissioner with all facts related to sterilization. A scam worth crores of rupees has been committed in the name of sterilization. The current Health Officer of the Municipal Corporation, Rajendrasingh Panwar, says that the councilor has complained to the Lokayukta regarding sterilization. The entire matter is from before my posting. Information and documents were requested by the Lokayukta. They have been provided. Commissioner said – Lokayukta investigation is ongoing Municipal Corporation Commissioner Anil Bhana does admit that it is not possible to perform sterilization at less than half the rate at which it was done. However, he is not ready to speak openly. This entire matter, however, predates his appointment. He states that the Lokayukta is investigating the matter. All the requested documents have been provided.