The government on Friday issued an order nominating a Nodal Officer for the management of stray dogs at the administrative department level, marking an institutional step toward coordinated handling of the growing stray dog issue.

According to a government order, the Jal Shakti Department has accorded sanction to the nomination of Suheel Ahmad Lone, JKAS, Deputy Secretary to the Government, Jal Shakti Department, as the Nodal Officer for management of stray dogs.
The order further states that Technical Officers attached to all Chief Engineers of the Jal Shakti Department have also been designated as Nodal Officers within their respective jurisdictions to oversee and coordinate matters related to stray dog management.
The appointment is aimed at ensuring structured oversight and coordination within the department on matters related to stray dog management.
The decision reflects the administration’s intent to establish a clear chain of responsibility for addressing issues arising from the presence of stray dogs, which have increasingly become a concern for locals in several urban and semi-urban areas due to safety, sanitation, and public health implications.
The nomination aims to streamline coordination, monitoring and implementation of measures concerning stray dog management across the Union Territory.
The order has been issued with the approval of the competent authority and signed by Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), Jal Shakti Department, Shaleen Kabra.