Bengaluru: With the transformation of BBMP into Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), the fate of stray dogs in the capital has doubled. Now preparations are underway to give them 'chicken rice' twice a day instead of once. During the BBMP era, a plan was made to provide chicken rice once a day to the stray dogs of Bengaluru. But, this plan was shelved after massive protests. Recently, the Supreme Court has directed that stray dogs should be removed from crowded areas like buses, railway stations, hospitals, schools-colleges, hostels, universities, training centres, grounds and stadiums and shifted to special dog shelters. Besides, instructions were also given to install fencing in the premises to prevent dog bites.

Seizing the opportunity to comply with this order, Greater Bengaluru Authority officials have decided to provide chicken rice twice a day to the stray dogs being shifted to the shelter.

Price of 'Chicken Rice' increased by ₹2.58 in 6 months

During BBMP times, the price of chicken rice was fixed at Rs 22.42 (till June 17). Now after review and increase in raw material prices in the market, the price of one-time chicken rice has been fixed at Rs 25. This means that the price of chicken rice has increased by Rs 2.58 in 6 months. It has been decided to spend Rs 50 for chicken rice twice a day for each dog.

Chicken Rice Recipe

Rice-150 grams, chicken-100 grams, vegetables-100 grams, oil-10 grams, salt-5 grams, turmeric-2.5 grams, total will be 367.5 grams. After cooking it will become 600 grams. Compared to the recipe prepared during BBMP times, 50 grams of rice has been increased and 50 grams of chicken has been reduced. But, the price of each chicken rice has been increased by Rs 2.58.

Monthly expenditure on each dog in Bengaluru is Rs 3035

A committee was formed under the chairmanship of Central Municipal Corporation Commissioner Rajendra Cholan to shift the stray dogs to the shelter and decide the cost of their maintenance. The committee has decided to spend Rs 3035 every month including food, staff salaries, medicines, cleaning materials and administrative expenses. An additional cost of Rs 300 has been added for catching, transportation and vaccination of a dog in the first month. The Additional Chief Secretary, Urban Development has already instructed five Municipal Corporation Commissioners to call tender and award the contract for maintenance of shelter homes to voluntary organizations.

Currently 2,206 stray dogs identified

According to the information received so far from different institutions of the city in response to the notice issued to provide information about the stray dogs present in the premises of their institution, there are 1623 stray dogs in Bengaluru North Municipal Corporation area, 131 in Bengaluru South, 222 in Bengaluru Central, 37 in Bengaluru West and 193 in Bengaluru East Municipal Corporation area. According to this number, Rs 66.95 lakh will have to be spent every month. Rs 8.03 crore will be required annually, and if the number of stray dogs increases, the expenditure will also increase. The concerned municipal corporations have been instructed to bear this expense.

Where are the shelter homes in Bengaluru?

Ambedkar Nagar in Bengaluru North Municipal Corporation area, S. in Bengaluru South. Space has been identified for the super specialty hospital complex of the cantonment at Bingipura, Bengaluru Central, the destitute committee of Kottigepalya in Bengaluru West and the shelter homes at Sadamangala and Varthur in Bengaluru East.

Monthly expenditure details of shelter home for every 100 stray dogs

Scheme Expenditure (in Rs)