The Odisha Veterinary Practitioners Act, 1969

(1) This Act may be called the Orissa Veterinary practitioners Act, 1969. (2) It extends to the whole of the State of Orissa. (3) It shall come into force on such date as the State Government may, by notification, appoint in that behalf.

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires- (a) "Council" means the Orissa Veterinary Council established under section 3; (b) "member" means a member of the Council; (c) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act; (d) "President" means the President of the Council; (e) "recognised veterinary qualification" means any of the veterinary degrees, diplomas or certificates included in the Schedule: Provided that the degrees, diplomas and certificates granted by the Government or any University or any other authority of any State in India other than the State of Orissa shall not be deemed to be recognised veterinary qualifications for the purposes of this Act, unless, in pursuance of a scheme of reciprocity for recognition, of veterinary qualifications, the Government of such State has, by notification, recognised for the purposes of that State, the degrees, diplomas and certificates granted by the Government or any University or any other authority of the State of Orissa. (f) "register" means the register of veterinary practitioners maintained under section 18; (g) "registered veterinary practitioner" means a veterinary practioner whose name is for the time being entered in the register; (h) "Registrar" means the Registrar appointed under section 17; (i) "regulation" means regulations made under section 16; (j) "vice-president" means the Vice-President of the Council.

(1) The State Government shall, by notification, establish a Council to be called "the Orissa Veterinary Council". (2) The Council shall be a body corporate and shall have perpetual succession and a common seal with power to acquire and hold property, both movable and immovable and to transfer any such property subject to the prescribed conditions and shall, by the said name, sue and be sued.

The Council shall consist of the following members, namely :- (a) the President to be nominated by the State Government from amongst the veterinary graduates of the State; (b) the Dean of the Veterinary College of the Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology...ex officio; (c) one member elected from amongst themselves by the members of the faculty of the Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology dealing with veterinary science; (d) four members elected by the registered veterinary practitioners from amongst themselves; (e) two members nominated by the State Government from among the registered veterinary practitioners; (f) one member to be nominated by the State Government from institutions or organisations dealing with cattle development in the State of Orissa; (g) one member of the Orissa Legislative Assembly to be nominated by the Speaker, Orissa Legislative Assembly: Provided that when the Council is established for the first time the member referred to in clauses (c), (d) and (e) shall be nominated by the State Government, from among the members of the faculty in the case of clause (c) and in the other cases from among the veterinary graduates of the State.

(1) The members of the Council shall elect a Vice-president from among themselves. (2) The President may resign his office by writing under his hand addressed to the State Government and shall be deemed to have vacated office on such resignation being accepted by the State Government: Provided that the President shall, on such vacation of office, also be deemed to have ceased to be a member of the Council; (3) The Vice-President may resign his office by writing under his hand addressed to the Council and shall be deemed to have vacated office on such resignation being accepted by the Council at a meeting.

If for any reason, whatsoever, the concerned electorate fails to return a Vice-President or, as the case may be, a member, the State Government shall nominate a person eligible for election to such office to be the Vice-President or, as the case may be, member who shall, on being so nominated, be deemed to have been duly elected.

Any election to be held under the provisions of this Act shall be held at such time and place and in such manner as may be prescribed.

(1) A person shall be disqualified for being or nominated as the President, or any other member, if he- (a) has been convicted and sentenced by a Court for any non-bailable offence, such sentence not having been subsequently reversed or quashed; (b) has been convicted and sentenced by a Court martial; (c) is an undischarged insolvent; (d) is a dismissed Government servant: Provided that the State Government may condone any disqualification referred to in clause (a) or clause (b) if the sentence has been fully undergone and a period of two years has elapsed since the termination of such sentence. (2) The President or any other member shall be disqualified to continue and shall cease to be the President or any other member, as the case may be, if he incurs any of the disqualifications specified in sub-section (1).

The name of every President, Vice-President or member nominated or elected under the provisions of this Act shall be published by the State Government in the Official Gazette.

(1) A member other than an ex officio member, shall, save as otherwise expressly provided in this Act, hold office until the expiry of a term of three years from the date of his nomination or election, as the case may be, or until his successor has been duly elected or nominated, whichever is later: Provided that any person who has been a member by the process of election or nomination under any of the clauses (c) to (g) of section 4 shall, on ceasing to hold membership of the electorate, institution, organisation or Assembly, as the case may be, by virtue of which he was elected or nominated, cease to hold office as such member. (2) Any member, other than the President, may, at any time, resign his office by writing under his hand addressed to- (a) the State Government, in case he happens to be a nominated member; or (b) the President, in case he happens to be an elected member, and a resignation so tendered shall take effect from the date it is received by the State Government or, as the case may be, by the President.

The Council may permit any member to absent himself from the meetings of the Council for any period not exceeding six months.

The State Government may remove a nominated member and the Council may remove an elected member from office- (a) if he absents himself without leave or without sufficient cause from three consecutive meetings of the Council; or (b) if he becomes disqualified under the provisions of section 8: Provided that no such removal shall be made without giving the concerned member a reasonable opportunity of being heard.

Any casual vacancy in the office of the President or any of the member caused by death, resignation or removal shall be reported to the State Government by the President or by the Vice-President where the vacancy relates to the office of the President and shall be filled up by nomination or, as the case may be, by election within such time and in such manner as may be prescribed.

No act or proceedings of the Council shall be deemed to be invalid merely by reason of any vacancy in or defect in the constitution of the Council.

(1) The Council shall meet at such time and place and meeting of the Council shall be summoned in such manner, as may be provided by regulations: Provided that until such regulations are made, it shall be lawful for the President to summon a meeting at such time and place as he may deem expedient by sending a notice to each member at least seven days in advance. (2) The quorum for the meetings of the council shall be four. (3) All matters which come up for consideration at any meeting shall be decided by the votes of the majority of the members present and voting, and, in case of an equality of votes, by the casting vote of the President.

(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder the Council may make regulations providing for- (a) the time and place at which the meetings of the Council shall be held; (b) the manner of issue of notices convening such meetings; (c) the conduct of business at such meetings; (d) the constitution, powers, duties and procedure of special committees; and (e) the conditions subject to which names struck off from the register on cancellation of registration or otherwise may be re-entered therein. (2) The Council may, with the prior approval of the State Government, make regulations determining- (a) the qualifications, the emoluments and the conditions of service of its employees other than the Registrar, and (b) the rates at which and the conditions under which travelling expenses may be drawn by members of the Council.

(1) The State Government shall appoint an officer of the Directorate of Veterinary Services of the State Government as the Registrar on such terms as the State Government may determine. (2) The Registrar shall act as the Secretary to the Council. (3) The Council may appoint such other employees as it may consider necessary for the purposes of this Act. (4) Every person appointed under this section shall be deemed to be a public servant within the meaning of section 21 of the Indian Penal Code.

(1) The Council shall, as soon as may be after its first constitution, arrange for the registration of veterinary practitioners and for that purpose, shall, by notification, appoint a date on or before which applications for first registration of names shall be made by veterinary practitioners qualified for registration under this Act. (2) The names and addresses, the qualifications together with the dates on which such qualifications were acquired, and the dates of registration of all veterinary practitioners registered under this Act shall be entered in a register to be maintained for the purpose.

(1) The Registrar shall maintain the register in such form and in such manner as may be prescribed and shall, from time to time make such entries, corrections, alterations or modifications in the entries therein as may be necessary or as may be directed by the Council. (2) In order to fulfil the duties imposed upon him by sub-section (1), he may call for any information he may require from any registered veterinary practitioner.

(1) Every person possessing a recognised veterinary qualification may, subject to the provisions of this Act and on payment of such fee as may be prescribed, apply to have his name entered in the register. (2) A person who applies to have his name entered in the register shall- (a) satisfy the Council that he is in possession of a recognised veterinary qualification; (b) mention in his application the date on which he acquired the qualification which entitles him to claim registration; and (c) give the Council any other information which may reasonably be required for the purpose of registration.

(1) The Council may, on being satisfied that a person applying for registration possesses a recognised veterinary qualification and has paid the prescribed fee, allow the application and direct the Registrar to enter his name in the register, and such entry shall, unless cancelled earlier, be borne in the register for one year. (2) The Registrar shall, on the registration of a person's name, give him a certificate of registration under his hand and seal. (3) The Council may, after giving the person concerned an opportunity of being heard, refuse to permit the registration, or cancel the registration, of the name of any person- (a) who has been convicted and sentenced by any Court for any non-bailable offence, such sentence not having been subsequently reversed or quashed; or (b) whom the Council, after due inquiry, which may, in the discretion of the President, be held in camera, finds guilty, by a majority of two-thirds of the members present and voting, of infamous conduct in his professional capacity: Provided that the State Government may condone the conviction referred to in clause (a) if the sentence has been fully undergone and a period of two years has elapsed since the termination of such sentence. (4) The Council may, after giving the person concerned an opportunity of being heard, direct that any entry in the register which is proved to the satisfaction of the Council to be incorrect or false be corrected or cancelled. (5) If any person whose name is entered in the register obtains any recognised veterinary qualifications other than the qualification in respect of which his name has been registered, he shall, on payment of such fee as may be prescribed, be entitled to have such additional qualification entered against his name in the register either in substitution of, or in addition to, any entry previously made therein.

If the Council is satisfied,- (a) that any degree, diploma or certificate granted by any university, college, school, institution or other authority is a sufficient guarantee that persons possessing such degree, diploma or certificate possess the knowledge and skill requisite for the efficient practice of veterinary medicine or surgery; or (b) that any recognised veterinary qualification is not a sufficient guarantee as aforesaid; it may make a report to that effect to the State Government who may, if they think fit, thereupon direct, by notification- (i) in cases under clause (a), that such degree, diploma or certificate shall, subject to the other provisions of this Act, be a recognised veterinary qualification; or (ii) in cases under clause (b), that such qualification shall cease to be a recognised veterinary qualification, and the Schedule shall thereupon be deemed to have been amended accordingly.

The Council shall have power to call on the authorities of any veterinary college, school or institution or any other authority awarding degrees, diplomas or certificates in veterinary science, whether such qualifications are recognised or not- (a) to furnish such particulars, as the Council may require, of any course of study prescribed or any examination held for the grant of any such degree, diploma or certificate; and (b) to permit a member of the Council deputed by it to attend and watch any such examination.

If any person is dissatisfied with any decision of the Council refusing or cancelling the registration of his name or directing the correction or cancellation of any entry in the register, he may, within thirty days from the date of such decision and on payment of such fee as may be prescribed, prefer an appeal to the State Government and the decision of the State Government thereon shall be final.

(1) A veterinary practitioner whose name is entered in the register shall be entitled to have his name retained in the register on payment of such annual renewal fee and within such time as may be prescribed. (2) If the renewal fee is not paid within the time prescribed, the Registrar shall strike off the name of the defaulter from the register: Provided that any name so struck off from the register may, subject to such conditions as the Council may by regulation provide, be re-entered in the register on payment of the renewal fee.

(1) A veterinary practitioner whose name is struck off from the register under sub-section (2) of section 25 or whose registration has been cancelled under sub-section (3) of section 21 shall forthwith surrender his certificate of registration to the Registrar and the name of such practitioner shall be published in the Official Gazette. (2) If any such name is afterwards re-entered in the register in accordance with the provisions of this Act, the fact of such re-entry shall be published in the Official Gazette and the certificate of registration shall be returned to the veterinary practitioner concerned.

On receipt of any reliable information regarding the death of any registered veterinary practitioner the Registrar shall, after making such enquiry as he thinks fit, remove the name of the deceased from the register.

(1) The Registrar shall, once in every three years, on or before a date to be fixed in this behalf by the Council, cause to be printed and published a correct list of the names for the time being entered in the register setting forth- (a) all the names entered in the register arranged in alphabetical order according to the surnames; (b) the registered address of each person whose name is entered in the register; and (c) the qualifications of each such person together with the dates when such qualifications were acquired. (2) The Registrar shall also cause to be printed and published in the month of January every year an annual supplement to such list showing therein the additions, alterations or corrections made in the entries in the register during the preceding year. (3) Every court shall presume, until the contrary is proved, that a person whose name is entered in the latest list as modified by the supplement is duly registered under this Act and that a person whose name is not so entered is not registered under this Act: Provided that, in the case of any person whose name does not appear in such list, a certified copy, signed by the Registrar, of the entry in respect of such person in the register shall be evidence that such person is registered under this Act.

(1) The Council shall maintain in such form as may be prescribed, proper accounts which shall be audited annually by an auditor appointed in this behalf by the State Government. (2) The Council shall prepare, within such time as may be prescribed and in accordance with such directions as the State Government may, from time to time, issue in this behalf, its budget estimates for each year and shall forward the same to the State Government for their approval together with the last audit report. (3) The State Government may make such annual grants as they may consider necessary to the Council for the proper discharge of the functions of the Council under this Act.

(1) All moneys received by the Council as fees and grants under this Act or otherwise shall be credited to a fund to be called "the Orissa Veterinary Council Fund" which shall be under the management and control of the Council and shall be held and applied by the Council for the purposes of this Act in such manner as may be prescribed. (2) All moneys credited to the Orissa Veterinary Council Fund shall forthwith be deposited in the State Bank of India, Bhubaneswar to the credit of an account to be called "the Orissa Veterinary Council Fund Account".

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, no certificate required by any law, or rule to be signed or authenticated by a duly qualified veterinary practitioner, veterinary surgeon or veterinary officer shall be valid unless the person signing or authenticating such certificate is a registered veterinary practitioner. (2) Except with the special sanction of the State Government no person other than a registered veterinary practitioner shall be competent to hold any appointment as a veterinary surgeon or veterinary officer in any veterinary hospital, infirmary or dispensary maintained wholly or partly by public or local funds.

If any person whose name is not entered in the register falsely pretends that it is so entered, or uses in connection with his name or title any words or letters representing that his name is so entered, he shall, whether any person is actually deceived by such representation or not, be punishable, on conviction, with fine which may extend to three hundred rupees.

No court other than the court of a Magistrate of the First Class shall take cognizance of or try an offence under this Act.

For the purpose of any inquiry under clause (b) of sub-section (3) of section 21, the Council shall have the powers of a Civil Court while disposing of suits under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, in respect of the following matters, namely :- (a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath; (b) requiring the discovery and production of documents; (c) receiving evidence on affidavits; and (d) any other matter that may be prescribed.

The State Government may give to the Council such directions as may be necessary for carrying out the purposes of this Act and it shall be the duty of the Council to comply with such directions.

If at any time it shall appear to the State Government that the Council has failed to exercise or has exceeded or abused any power conferred upon it, by or under this Act, the State Government may, if they consider such failure, excess or abuse to be of a serious character, notify the particulars thereof to the Council; and if the Council fails to remedy such failure, excess or abuse within such time as may be fixed by the State Government in this behalf, they may, after giving the Council an opportunity of representing its case, dissolve the Council and cause all or any of the powers and duties of the Council to be exercised and performed by such agency and for such period as they may think fit: Provided that in the case of such dissolution of the Council, the State Government shall take steps as soon as may be convenient to reconstitute the Council in accordance with the provisions of this Act.

(1) No order under this Act refusing to enter a name in, or removing or striking off a name from, the register shall be called in question in any Civil or Criminal Court. (2) No suit or other legal proceeding shall lie in any Civil or Criminal Court in respect of any act done or purported to have been done in good faith under this Act or any rule or regulation made thereunder by the State Government or the Council or the Registrar or any other person.

(1) The State Government may make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act. (2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for- (a) the time and manner of holding election; (b) the form of the register; (c) the application of moneys at the credit of the Orissa Veterinary Council Fund; (d) the procedure to be followed by the Council in conducting any inquiry; (e) the fees chargeable under this Act; (f) the maintenance and submission of accounts of the Orissa Veterinary Council Fund; (g) the regulation of annual grants made by the State Government to the Council; and (h) any other matter which may be or is required to be prescribed.

1. Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates granted by the Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology in Veterinary Science. 2. Certificate of Fellowship and Membership of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, United Kingdom and Ireland. 3. Degrees of Bachelor, Master or Doctor of Veterinary Science of any of the Universities in the United Kingdom or the United States of America. 4. Degrees of Bachelor of Science (Veterinary), Calcutta (West Bengal). 5. Degrees of Bachelor of Science (Veterinary), Bombay. 6. Degrees of Bachelor of Science (Veterinary), Uttar Pradesh. 7. Degrees of Bachelor of Science (Veterinary), Madhya Pradesh. 8. Degrees of Bachelor of Science (Veterinary), Bihar. 9. Degrees of Bachelor of Veterinary Science, Madras. 10. Degrees of Bachelor of Veterinary Science, Kerala. 11. Degrees of Bachelor of Veterinary Science, Punjab. 12. Degrees of Bachelor of Veterinary Science, Saugar. 13. Degrees of Bachelor of Science (Veterinary and Animal Husbandry), Agra. 14. Degrees of Bachelor of Science (Veterinary and Animal Husbandry), Andhra. 15. Degrees of Bachelor of Science (Veterinary and Animal Husbandry), Gauhati. 16. Degrees of Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Rajasthan. 17. Degrees of Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Vikram.