Citizen Connect: Beneficiaries of free goat scheme leave animals unattended, motorists complain

The free goat scheme launched by the AIADMK government might have benefited people. However, the goats which were distributed, especially on Farook Street in Pammal, create a nuisance to the public.

The beneficiaries of the scheme are letting the animals on to the road freely, which creates problems, especially to the motorists and cyclists. Frequent traffic jams are also witnessed when the herd roamson the middle of the street and the main road that leads to Pammal main road, Pozhilur and Anakaputhur.

Several thousand commuters, especially schoolchildren, use the street regularly. “After stray dogs, goats create lots of problem for us, especially after nightfall. Once I almost fell from my bike when a goat crossed the road,” S Velusamy, a vendor who suppliesmilk on Farook Street and Nallathambi Road, said.

He said that owners of the goats demand huge sum of money if an animal is hit by a vehicle. “They demand a minimum of Rs 1,000 if a bike hits the goat accidentally,” he claimed. S Karthik, a Class 11 student living on Nallathambi Street and takesFarook Street regularly, said students coming by bicycle struggle to negotiate the road because of the goats.

“Though my parents have made complaints to the authorities of Pammal municipality twice, no action was taken,” he added. A senior official from Pammal Municipality said that there is no stringent rule to stop the goat owners from indiscriminately letting the animals on the road.

“Even if a complaint was lodged, we can only request the owners to not leave the animal unattended,” he added. Another official from Anakaputhur municipality said that the government should come with an order to slap fine on offenders. “In addition, if anyone violates the rule frequently, the animal should be seized,” he said. According to K Lakshmanan, a fruit vendor on Pammal Street, goats rummage through garbage on the roads.