Opposition Grows Against Transfers and Mandatory Attendance Through Sarthak App; Animal Husbandry Employees Submit Memorandum to Minister

Bhopal, July 7, 2026:

Field-level employees and veterinary doctors associated with Madhya Pradesh’s Animal Husbandry and Dairy Department and Agricultural Extension Services have intensified their opposition to recent transfers and the mandatory attendance system through the Sarthak App. The employees submitted a memorandum to Animal Husbandry and Dairy Minister Lakhan Patel, demanding the withdrawal of the app-based attendance system and a review of transfer decisions.

Employees allege that the mandatory use of the Sarthak App for attendance has created several practical difficulties in carrying out field duties. According to them, most departmental work is conducted in remote rural and tribal areas where mobile network and internet connectivity remain poor. As a result, employees are often unable to mark their attendance on time, leading to lower attendance records that were later used as the basis for punitive transfer actions.

A delegation of employees and veterinary doctors, led by Animal Husbandry Department officer Babita Tripathi, submitted the memorandum to the minister. They stated that mandatory attendance through the Sarthak App is impractical given the nature of departmental work. They argued that the system is affecting not only employee efficiency but also the delivery of essential services to livestock owners in rural areas.

The memorandum noted that veterinary doctors and field staff are responsible for multiple veterinary hospitals, sub-centers, and dozens of villages. Since the treatment of animals often involves emergency situations and has no fixed schedule, employees are required to provide services at any time of the day or night. In many cases, they remain in the field until late hours, making it difficult to record attendance within the prescribed time frame.

Female employees and officers also expressed concerns regarding the attendance system. They stated that frequent travel to remote locations and the requirement to mark attendance within a fixed schedule have created both practical and safety-related challenges. They called for special provisions that take into account the unique circumstances faced by women employees.

Employees further pointed out that, in addition to veterinary services, they are regularly assigned various government responsibilities such as surveys, census operations, awareness campaigns, and other administrative duties. Under such circumstances, the app-based attendance system has become an additional burden on field personnel.

Various employee organizations and associations have urged the government to exempt Animal Husbandry Department and Agricultural Extension staff from the mandatory use of the Sarthak App, taking into consideration the realities of field work, limited network availability, and departmental responsibilities. They have also demanded a review of transfers allegedly linked to attendance-related issues and requested relief for affected employees.

The employees warned that if their demands are not addressed positively, they will continue their protest through democratic means. So far, no official response has been issued by the government or the department. However, the employees remain hopeful that their concerns and suggestions will be given serious consideration.