 Summary of this article
- Maharashtra reported over 30 lakh dog bite cases in six years, with 30 rabies deaths between 2021 and 2023, according to Deputy CM Eknath Shinde.
- Official PIB releases and parliamentary data, however, show a lower figure of around 23 lakh dog bite cases.
- The mismatch in numbers has raised concerns about data accuracy and its impact on public health planning and rabies control measures
Maharashtra has recorded more than 30 lakh dog bite cases over the last six years, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde told the state assembly on Wednesday. He added that 30 people died due to rabies between 2021 and 2023, highlighting what he called a worrying rise in dog bite incidents across both rural and urban regions.
Shinde said the state has been witnessing a “significant increase” in such cases and stressed the need for stricter control measures and vaccination drives.
However, figures from official data sources paint a different picture. According to multiple releases from the Press Information Bureau (PIB) and responses given in Parliament, Maharashtra recorded around 23 lakh dog bite cases during the same six-year period — notably lower than the number quoted by the deputy CM. |
