Facing heat over recent deaths of over 20 cows at a bovine shelter in Kanker district, Chhattisgarh government today suspended a veterinary doctor for alleged dereliction of duty.

"Veterinary Assistant Surgeon Dr K P Rai, who was in-charge of Dugakondal Veterinary Hospital, has been suspended in connection with death of at least 22 cows at the state-aided Kamdhenu Gau Sewa centre at Karramad village in Durgkondal development block of the district," an official in Raipur said.

"The action was taken based on a preliminary probe report in connection with the incident," he added.

On Sunday, Kanker District Collector Shammi Abidi had said that 22 cows had died at the shelter since August 1.

As per the order issued by Animal Husbandry Department in Raipur, Rai was suspended under the Chhattisgarh Civil Service (Conduct) Rules, 1965 for 'failing to take preventive measures and dereliction of duty in connection with the consistent sudden deaths of cows at the shelter home'.

The state government had already ordered a probe into the death of cows, besides weekly inspection of all shelters in the state following a controversy over the incident.

A seven-member probe committee headed by the chairman of Krishi Sthai Samiti, Zila Panchayat Kanker constituted to probe the incident, has been asked to submit its report to the state government within seven days, the official said.

Prima facie, the administration found that negligence on the part of shelter home management led to the incident.