RWITC Terminates Prof Uppal's Contract |
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The committee of the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) Ltd has terminated, with immediate effect, the contract with Prof Uppal, consultant and head of the Diagnostic Research Laboratory at Pune. The decision was taken after a high-profile delegation of horse owners, breeders, veterinarians and trainers met the heads of the five Turf Authorities of India at Mumbai immediately after the Invitation Cup weekend, and also followed up with the RWITC committee with their grievances about the functioning of Prof Uppal. The RWITC committee has also decided to suspend all operations at the Diagnostic Research Laboratory until a replacement for Prof Uppal is nominated. Among the delegates were Ms Ameeta Mehra of Usha stud, Mr Khushroo Dhunjibhoy of Nanoli stud, Mr Zeyn Mirza, racing manager of the UB Group, and horse owners Martand Mahindra, Geoffrey Nagpal, Gurpal Singh and others. The major concerns expressed by the delegation were the issues arising from the administration of a vaccine produced by NRCE, Hissar, which was only experimental and without the requisite clearances, which, apparently, was administered to horses on the advice of Prof Uppal. The delegation expressed concern at the lack of transparency and protocol on the matters of testing at the Auction Sales and on the movement of horses between centres, and back and forth from the Auction Sale. The delegation had also questioned the role of Prof Uppal in various matters concerning the breeding industry, and was vocal in asking for his removal as the Technical Consultant of the RWITC. The performance of the Vet Commission also came under scrutiny and there was a plea for it being headed by a technical person or veterinarian. The decision of the RWITC committee to suspend Prof Uppal with immediate effect and pave the way for greater openness and transparency was welcome by the delegates who felt that their stand was vindicated. "We hope a new era of transparency will begin now," a delegate told me on the condition of anonymity, "issues that have confronted us over the years due to arbitrary enforcement of authority now have a chance to be addressed in a proper way." |
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