While the owners could opt for a vendor's licence and money, or just cash; horses, especially those that need medical attention, will be looked after by animal rights NGOs
A judgment of the Bombay High Court has ruled that using Victorias in Mumbai for 'joyrides' is illegal. Pic for representation
The Bombay High Court has finally accepted the state government's rehabilitation plan for Victoria carriage drivers and their horses. Soon Mumbai streets will be freed of the horse-drawn carriages.
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However, the big question that remains is: what happens to the horses that need medical attention. According to Dr Manilal Valliyate, PETA India, animal rights NGOs will save the day.
"The affidavit submitted by the state government states that NGOs will take care of an animal that is sick, ill, unhealthy, or suffering from disease," he said.
"There are around 7-8 NGOs listed in the affidavit, that are ready to do this. Currently, we have admitted four horses for rehabilitation." However, Valliyate pointed out that the horses belonged to their owners.
"The owners will need to hand over their animals to the NGOs for effective rehabilitation," he said.
According to the affidavit, Victoria owners and drivers will be eligible for their choice of either a vendor licence under The Street Vendors' (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) (Maharashtra) Rules, 2016, along with a one-off payment of R1 lakh, or just a one-off payment of R3 lakh. The owners may also sell the horses or give consent to a willing NGO to care for them.
According to the affidavit, the cabinet also instructed the Department of Animal Husbandry to frame a comprehensive policy, which the court has now asked the state government to present in three months' time, to ensure the horses' health and safety during the implementation of the plan. It also stated that the implementation of the rehabilitation policy is to be entrusted to the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM).
Joyrides illegal
On May 4, 2017, the Bombay High Court granted the Maharashtra government two more months to submit its already delayed rehabilitation plan for carriage owners, drivers, and horses. The June 8, 2015 judgment of the court had ruled that using Victorias in Mumbai for "joyrides" was illegal.
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