Checking water misuse

Process to start water meters to start in January

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Dec 31: To keep check on water supply in the state the state government will begun installtion of water meters next month.The project is likely to be completed by next two years.


Talking to the TNI, Minister for Public Health Engineering, Taj Mohi-ud-Din said that the department is waiting for the water meters and the work of installation of meters will be start within time duration of one month.


Minister further said that in first phase of installation the meters will be installed in commercial area adding that in second phase the installation will be done civil line whereas in third phase the main city area will be cover in both Jammu and Kashmir cities.


Sources said that to create revenue from the water resources the state government has passed a bill to generate the tax from water supply in Public Health Engineering (PHE) department.


It is pertinent to mention here that the Bill was passed by the state Assembly by a voice vote after it was introduced for consideration and passing by Minister for Public Health Engineering, Taj Mohi-ud-Din.


Sources said that this is one more plan to increase the funds in government treasury and by this the administration hits the common man pocket another time.


According to the data, though state has so far used only 16 per cent of the ground water available in the state and government want to conduct a comprehensive study of its water resources. State is also studying another new concept of 'water budgeting' so as to brace up with the actual demand and requirement of drinking water in the years to come.


The water metering will be taken up under Urban Infrastructure Development in Small and Medium Towns and Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).


"We have also decided to revise the water tax in the state so that the concept of judicious use of water is implemented", said a official. It is important to note that government has also hiked the water tariffs last year.

Tawi river cries for attention: Efforts to restore its glory, just cosmetic

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Dec 30: Although the administration has taken a slew of measures to restore the pristine glory of the Tawi river that gives identity to the city of temples, the exercise has proven cosmetic so far as the riverbed continues to be used as garbage dumping ground besides a confluence of all the municipal drains.

“Keep Jammu clean” is the slogan of Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) and its initiatives to restore the Tawi to its divine values is appreciable, but due to the unavailability of required space for garbage dumping, the city has reached to the extent to squalidity.

The department of Public Health and Engineering (PHE) had instructed JMC not to dump the municipal waste in river Tawi.

At the same time, the JMC had not made any alternate arrangement to deal with the situation as no other space for dumping the garbage of the city was identified and municipal vehicles loaded with garbage could be seen parked and at various places with the garbage started foul-smelling.

JMC says that a piece of land has been identified in the Kangrail area on the city outskirts for solid waste management, but the same was yet to be used for dumping garbage and other waste material. Another place has been identified at Makhwal near the international border to use as a dumping site but since the area comes in the close proximity to the army campus again the same cannot be used.

Expressing helplessness Commissioner JMC, S C Sawhney said that the department is on work to identify the site for the dumping the city waste. Now its a million dollar question that if the authorities couldn’t able to trace out any location for a month period, then what would be the Scenario of the City of temples?

Public Opinion

Better late than never. It’s a good initiative of the Irrigation Department to retrieve the Tawi River to its Divine Values, But it has also displayed the non-serious approach of the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) as the dumping of garbage is unmoved by that time, the authorities have shown their irresponsibility, but the cost is been paid by the Common public.

From:

Atul Dave

-----------

It is completely a result of administration failure as the Municipal Corporation is running without its administrator, because, once delayed elections for the Mayors designation, couldn’t be conducted by this course of time. For a while it was ok, but now it has come to our door step, we could not endure this filth anymore.

From:

Sandeep Sharma

----------

Not the first this is when we have to suffer because of others fault, Now departments are become habitual of insincerity, they are just enjoying the luxury of Rank, and literally they have no idea that what going on in the City in current situation. It is not in Jammu only in fact throughout the country that foresightedness before initiating a project is missing.

Sorry, but we could not do anything regarding this mess of the Non-serious people.

From:

Renu Bhan

JU watching as mute spectator, private B. Ed colleges continue to defy it

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Dec 28: In total defiance of the notification issued by the Jammu University (JU), nearly 80 private B. Ed colleges continue to hold counseling cum admission process for the course.


Officials said that despite this, authorities in JU are looking as mute spectators to all this and have failed to strongly deal with the illegal practice going on for past few days.  


As just two days left for the last date of the counseling which is fixed by the private colleges as December 30, the private colleges able to fill only 2400 out of 8000 seats


It is pertinent to mention here that there are about 75 colleges in Jammu division who are affiliated with Jammu University, but due to less input of students the private colleges owners are still filling the seats after the last date violating the norms of JU.


Pertinently, as per the JU notification, it is mention that the admission taking by the candidates after closing date in any private college of Jammu is not acceptable by JU administration and considers as invalid.


It is also mention in the notification that JU has not authorized anybody to issue such an advertisement or to initiate a process of on spot counseling.


When contacted, Forum of Recognized Colleges of Education (FORCE) president Harbans Singh said that as per today record 30 percent students has taken the admission.


He further said that if the Jammu University will not consider our admissions, we will knock the door of Judiciary.


“The Jammu University might start the B Ed counseling within three days. And if they open the dates for the B Ed counseling, then we will extend the date and filled the remaining seats.


Reliable sources say that even the Governor N.N Vohra had clearly told the Vice-Chancellor Jammu University Varun Sahni to take measures against the illegal practice during their meeting few days back, but so far nothing has been done.


Surprisingly private colleges association has issued a notification recently notifying that the admission-cum-counseling process will start from December 22-30, despite the fact that the entire right to admission is reserved to the university administration.


 “It is totally illegal and private colleges have openly defying the JU administration, while they are watching helpless, because many of the high profile ministers and MLA are running these colleges”, said a source.


Though as per the JU notification, University has warned that those taking admission now in any private college of Jammu will not be acceptable and will be considered invalid, but sources said that it will turn out to be just hollow threat.


Director, Colleges Development Council, Prof. Desh Bandhu said that the JU administration has no plan to open the counseling for the B Ed course.

PDD welfare fund for Daily wagers not being implemented

Tahir Mushtaq


JAMMU, Dec 27: The much hyped Employees Welfare Fund scheme launched by Power Development Department (PDD) has not been implemented in Jammu region, despite the fact that employees are contributing money to the scheme for last six months.


Official sources said that while some compensation claims have been cleared in Kashmir valley, but in Jammu region none of the person injured during duty hours have received any help from the scheme since it was launched in February this year. The fund is aimed to cover 32,000 permanent employees of the department. 


The scheme was launched under order No-77 of PDD in both the regions of the state to provide insurance cover to the permanent employees of the department, particularly who work in field. 


“It was to cover the employees from Class IV to the Engineers and above who in case of death or injury are supposed to get assistance of Rs 3 lakh as immediate assistance”, said a PDD employee. The scheme also intends to provide free education and health benefits to the family members of the employee. 


When contacted an official source said, “We have taken up the issue with the concerned division and we will ensure that it gets implemented properly”. He said that department is making efforts to create effective mechanism so that employees get the benefits of the fund. 


Sources said that seriousness of the officials could be gauged from the fact that even District Welfare Committees, Provincial Welfare Committees and Central Welfare Committee required to generate data of the workers working in respective zones have not been completed thus pushing back the basic objective of the scheme. Each employee at present is contributing money ranging from Rs 200-to Rs 50 per month to the fund and State Government was also supposed to contribute to this scheme. 


It is pertinent to mention here that it is not only the permanent employees who are facing the problems due to non-implementation of various schemes in the Department, but even the daily wagers who are backbone of the maintenance and distribution system have been denied their rights. 


Nearly 5000 daily wagers working in PDD have so far not provided cover of Janata Insurance scheme, aimed at providing insurance to the daily rate workers who mostly work in the field. 


“Though the state government has assured that it will be implemented but so far nothing has been done in this regard. In absence of any insurance cover most of the injured workers have not received any financial help from the department”, said Tarun Gupta, state president of Daily wagers Association.

QRT caught in red tape: Project yet to get finance dept clearance

Tahir Mushtaq


JAMMU, Dec 24: The proposal for fully equipped Quick Rescue Teams (QRTs), to be deployed with ambulances for immediate rescue operations in times of road accidents on highways in the state, has been stuck with the finance department for over two year now.


“The project for purchasing equipments for QRTs on highways had been gathering dust in finance department for the last two years, with the transport ministry least bothering to make efforts for getting it cleared,” official sources said.


Sources said that though some teams were constituted under the chairmanship of deputy commissioners and deployed on accident prone areas along the highways in the mountainous Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban districts, yet these teams have not been provided with necessary equipments, required at the time of rescue operations, virtually making them handicapped.”


On February 2009, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had announced for deployment of QRTs equipped with ambulances for immediate rescue operations in times of road accidents on highways in the state. He had also suggested creation of a corpus to provide insurance cover to passengers travelling in commercial vehicles in the state so that in eventualities the families of the victims were paid relief from the corpus fund.


The idea behind constituting QRTs was conceived during the tenure of former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad. A senior official requesting anonymity told TNI, “Nothing was done to make QRTs effective. Though we took up the matter with higher authorities several times vis-à-vis lack in infrastructure and equipments, our pleas remained unheard.”


“We had demanded ambulances, longer ropes and other equipments to retrieve injured persons and vehicles from deep gorges and the mighty Chenab flowing through these districts but we were not provided the same. It creates several problems in rescue operations and we fail sometimes to save precious human lives,” he regretted.


Minister for Transport Qamar Ali Akhoon said, “These teams are in-operation but the project for making these QRTs fully equipped have yet to get clearance from the finance department. We have also planned to deploy these teams in Rajouri and Poonch districts to save the precious human lives in teams of road mishaps.”

Prof acting as CMO of Heath Centre at Jammu University

Tahir Mushtaq


JAMMU, Dec 23: To provide medical aid facilities to the students as well as staff of the campus, the administration of University of Jammu has established a Health Centre inside the campus, but nowadays this health centre get ignored by the administration which exposed the casual approach of the officials towards the health of the students and staff members.


According to the sources the condition of the said centre is miserable and there is only one male doctor appointed where as the Head of Department Biotechnology Prof Manoj Dhar has been given the position of incharge CMO of the centre.


Sources also disclosed that every year JU collect lakhs of rupees in the shape of fee from the students for health facility, but the money was not utilized properly.


“Even the paramedical staff is also not adequate even there is on one to operate the ultrasound machine installed in the centre, due to which the facility is unavailable to the patients” added source.


He maintained that the supply of medicine and other required infrastructure is also unavailable adding that the post of doctor is vacant in the campus and nothing has been done so far to fill.


He also said that the health center has got only one ambulance which is not sufficient but why is he using the medical ambulance for which purposes? But if a student get sick and when need the ambulance then during such situation they are not in a position to send the ambulance.


He said its need to upgrade the facilities in the health Centre and further to adopt a good regulation and well management.


National Secular Forum state president Vikas Sharma said that the doctors appointed there are not available round the clock this is how they are serving the students and many times the it is seen that check was faulty, the doctors made a wrong observation.


He further said that wrongly detected blood pressure and sugar in many of the people that led to panic among the University employees and their families.

Toothless PCB: It has no powers to penalise violators in J&K

Tahir Mushtaq


JAMMU, Dec 22: Despite increase in the level of pollution in Jammu and Kashmir, state‘s main regularity body, the Pollution Control Board (PCB) have no legal power to penalise those violating the Permissible Decibel (PD) limit.


While all big cities and metropolitan centres in the country have established specific norms and zones, where the drivers cannot blow pressure horns and regulate the use of generators by shopkeepers, besides observation of set PD limits during social, religious and community events, in our state there is a free for all situation.


The State PCB Board was constituted by state government in 1986, as per the provisions of water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act-1974 and the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act- 1981. Later in 1988, provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 were also entrusted to the Board for implementation, but it has failed to act decisively against the violation of the pollution norms.


 “Jammu and Kashmir is perhaps the only state which has no declared silent zones normally demarcated around hospitals and educational institutions”, said an environmentalist. He said irritating sounds of pressure horns and high pitch loudspeakers continue to distracts the students are bother the patients in the hospitals.


“The major causes of sound pollution is industrial and construction activities, generator sets, loudspeakers, music systems, blowing of horns and other mechanical devices which have adverse affects on the health of people”, said Dr. Mehboob Ali.


With increasing traffic rush in twin capital cities of Srinagar and Jammu with the number of vehicles in these each urban centres crossing the eight lakh mark, the noise pollution has become a major menace for the public. The situation has become uncontrollable as the state does not have a strong law to deal with violators.


“PCB has no power to penalize anyone responsible for the noise pollution. At the most it can carry advertisement campaign and organise programmes in educational institutions that is their last means against the menace”, said a PCB official on condition of anonymity. Sources said the board has squarely failed to keep space with the changing environment not and deal with the new challenges.


Officials said that another reason for the increase in the sound pollution is the cutting down of green patches around the major roads and highway. It is also casting an adverse affect on the people.

B.Ed colleges defying JU norms, admissions still going on

Tahir Mushtaq


JAMMU, Dec 21: Despite notification by the Jammu University (JU) administration to close the counseling-cum-admission process in Bachelor of Education (B Ed) course runs by JU, there are some private colleges owned by ministers and other highly profile officials in which the admission process is still going on.


Ignoring the advertisement of JU authority and taking the career of students on stake the private colleges has published a notice in local dailies in which they have notified that from December 22 to 30 on spot counseling and admission are open in private B Ed colleges, whereas all the right of admissions are reserved to JU administration only.


It is pertinent to mention here that there are about 75 colleges in Jammu division who are affiliated with Jammu University, but due to less input of students the private colleges owners are still entertained the candidates after the last date which is against by the JU norms.


As per the JU notification, it is mention that the admission taking by the candidates after closing date in any private college of Jammu is not acceptable by JU administration and considers as invalid.


It is also mention in the notification that JU has not authorized anybody to issue such an advertisement or to initiate a process of on spot counseling.


Talking to TNI, Forum of Recognized Colleges of Education (FORCE) president Harbans Singh said that we are going by the directions of Supreme Court viz-a-viz admission in self funded educational institutional.


He further said that Jammu University has no right to call admissions made by us illegal. “We are not going to stop and will continue till December 30” Singh added.


Singh maintained that if University will cause any problem we will knock the door of Judiciary.

Roof collapse at SMGS hospital, major tragedy averted

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Dec 17: A scrap of the nurses' ward’s roof collapsed in the Gynaecology and children's wing of a government hospital here on Saturday afternoon, raising question mark over the 60-year old building, housing one of the largest children hospital in Jammu region.


Police sources informed that there was no report of any death or injury, but general chaos prevailed in the hospital for many hours as patients and officials visited the spot where the roof collapsed.


Spokesperson from the Shri Maharaja Gulab Singh (SMGS) Hospital informed that the children's ward had been vacated a few days ago for repair work.


Top officials and rescue teams immediately rushed to the spot. The authorities were inquiring to ascertain the reason of the collapse.


SMGS was the first government hospital in Jammu and was inaugurated in May 1940.


Sources said that this incident cannot be put to backburner as thousands of children and patients daily visit the hospital.


“There is need for major repairs in the hospital but no action is being taken make major repairs in the building”, said a official.


Sources said that despite inauguration of new Open Patient Department (OPD) ward in 2008, it has still not been thrown open for the patients.


 “The new ward has been completed in all aspects. It is not working because it lacks needed staff to make it functional. The hospital is already very congested,” official sources said.


The only government-run specialized Gynaecology and Paediatrics hospital in the region - Shri Maharaja Ghulab Singh (SMGS) Hospital - has only one ventilator functional.


Sources revealed that the hospital has only one ventilator as of now and all patients who are required to be put on artificial respiratory support system are shifted to already over-burdened Government Medical College hospital (GMC) Jammu.


They said that about one year back administration had procured an additional ventilator for the new Paediatrics block, but it is also lying non-functional as there are no required doctors and para-medical staff.


Absence of ventilators, the most important requirement of Pediatrics is causing much worry to the patients and their wards. The hospital draws an influx of nearly 1,200 patients in its OPD, besides 50-60 patients are admitted on daily basis in both wards.

Excise dept proposes introduction of tamper proof holograms on liquor bottles

Tahir Mushtaq


JAMMU, Dec 16: Jammu and Kashmir government is struggling with unique type of counterfeit trade, the entry of spurious liquor in the market and the losses being incurred on this account.


Officials said that past some years have witnessed a steep rise in the cases of adulterated liquor being detected by the enforcement agencies and the loss to the exchequer due to this goes in crores of rupees.
To deal with the menace, the Excise and Taxation Department has decided to introduce tamper proof holograms on the bottles.


For the purpose the department has submitted a detailed proposal to the government to get the approval for the same. Sources said that the concept has been borrowed from Punjab and Himanchal Pradesh, where the authorities are facing the menace of illegal distilleries.


As per the new concept the temper proof multi-coloured holograms seals would be put on each bottle to enable easy detection of the counterfeit products.
Despite many religious and cultural taboos, liquor consumption is showing increased trend in Jammu and Kashmir. “It is proving difficult for the department to keep a check on liquor adulteration because of the increased consumption. The problem is more in the rural areas”, said an officer. 


Deputy Excise Commissioner Manmohan Singh said, “We have submitted the proposal to the government and the step would help to ensure that quality liquor is sold in the market so that there is no revenue loss to the state and consumers are also safe”.


Pertinent to mention here that since past two years government has not issued any new liquor licences, but despite this the consumption, particularly that of beer has shown increased trend, which is also a big revenue generator for the state.


As per the official figures, there are 226 liquor shops owned by private parties in the state. Of these, 135 are in Jammu city, 21 in Udhampur district and 40 in Kathua. Srinagar has 4, Baramulla one and Leh has two shops.


Finance Ministry data shows that 11, 444, 94 cases of Indian made foreign liquor (IMFL) were produced in 2008-09 in the state, while this number increased to 14, 23,954 cases in 2009-10.


As far as local liquor is concerned, 11, 23,112 cases were produced in 2008-09 and 13, 53, 505 cases in 2009-10. As many as 12, 44,969 cases of beer were produced in the state in 2008-09, while this number touched to 16, 10,558 cases in 2009-10.

Traffic police, RTO directed to rein in on traffic violators

Tahir Mushtaq


JAMMU, Dec 15: With hundreds of unregistered registered busses and other vehicles illegally plying on the city roads, in total disregard to the norms, administration has directed the traffic police and Regional Transport Office (RTO) to launch drive against these vehicles.


These include some of the busses plying on the inter-state and inter-district routes with fake registrations allegedly in connivance with some political workers of ruling parties.  


Sources said that in February this year Divisional Commissioner Pawan Kotwal had convened a meeting of civil and police officials to devise a strategy to deal with these vehicles, after the RTO had brought to notice of the administration, about the illegal vehicles.   


“Number of passenger busses are running without valid papers, but it was being overlooked by the enforcement agencies because of involvement of some police and civil officials. But now it has become a major menace for the administration”, said a source.  


At the moment there are close to five lakh vehicles on the roads in the Jammu alone, plus the floating vehicles carrying tourists and pilgrims bound for Mata Vaishno Devi shrine.


Officials maintain that though it is a huge task to deal with the menace of fake registered vehicles, because of lack of manpower, but steps are being taken to address the issue on war footing. 


On the other hand, a committee has been constituted to be headed by the Additional Deputy Commissioner and comprising of Regional Transport Officer (RTO), Jammu, Municipal Commissioner and SSP Traffic to restart the pre-paid auto rickshaw stand at Railway station and general bus stand.


“There are many projects which were launched with much funfare but there was no follow up action, making them die a slow death. But now administration is on revival mode. How successful they will be, only time will tell”, said a official.


Divisional Commissioner Pawan Kotwal said that directions have been passed to various agencies to strictly deal with the violators and enforce the guidelines set by the government.


After Tokyo, Jammu is considered to be the city having the highest density of vehicular traffic. But paradoxically, there are not more than 90 traffic police personnel manning the important intersections in and around the city.


Traffic management is also giving blues to the department concerned in the absence of traffic signals, as the entire work is being executed manually with such a small team of police personnel.

GMC without fire fighting system

Tahir Mushtaq


JAMMU, Dec 14: Despite being one of the biggest hospitals in Jammu and Kashmir, Government Medical College Hospital (GMC&H) is awaiting a major disaster as it has a defunct Central Fire Control System to deal with any major fire incident.


Sources said that the multi-crore system installed in the hospital, two decades has become obsolete and the authorities at the helm of affairs are sitting over the proposal to upgrade it risking the lives of thousands of people visiting the hospital daily.


Sources said that the fire control system was installed at the time of construction of the building about 20 years back. However in absence of  proper maintenance and look after it became defunct over the years and  now the vital public asset with hundreds of crores of health  infrastructure eludes any fire fighting system.


“The main reason behind the collapse of the system was the lack of trained persons who are able to keep the system shipshape and also hold drills at regular intervals” said an official on the condition of anonymity. He said that at all if the system was restored there was no expert here who can check whether it was in order and would trigger automatically in case of any eventuality.


A senior doctor said that the network of water sprinkling pipes have gathered rust and these were leaking at various places due to which the entire system has become useless and defunct.


They said that the engineering wing of the hospital had formulated a proposal two years back wherein the cost of the repair for the system was estimated at Rs 30 lakh. But owing to the indifference of the authorities no progress was made in this regard till date.


Another case in hospital which shows the negligent attitude is the non- working of dialysis machines for the past more than two weeks as the two machines available for carrying the dialysis are out of order. This is not that something has happened for the first time, it occurs every now and then.


Some sources also revealed that the malfunctioning of the machines was the outcome of the lethargic approach of the GMC management. It was also learnt that defunct machines had added an extra pressure to the Dialysis Unit of the ASCOMS Hospital.

State of Health Sector

4 OTs at GMC not functioning due to dearth of manpower


Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Dec 11: While crores have been spent on up gradation of infrastructure in the hospitals across Jammu and Kashmir in past eight years, but lack of trained manpower has rendered these newly created facilities useless.


One such example is the unutilized four Operation Theatres (OT) in the new emergency block of the Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu which have remained non functional even after eight months of inauguration.


Sources said that provision for these OTs were made to enable doctors to attend the emergency cases in minimum possible time, particularly road accident victims and to ease pressure on the existing operation facilities but these have so far not been used due to shortage of manpower.


Sources said that these new operation theatres are even without the required equipments, putting a question mark on the huge investments made on the building of the new emergency block in the premier hospital of Jammu region.


“Last year in April Cabinet gave approval to 2000 posts of doctors and para-medical staff, but so far no step has been taken to speed up the process of recruitment. It’s not case with GMC only but in most of the hospitals across the state the newly created infrastructure is gathering dust”, said an official.


Officials said that GMC administration has been repeatedly raising the issue with the concerned minister and stressing the need to make these OTs functional to deal with the emergency cases and ease huge pressure on the existing facilities. But the government is asking the hospital management to wait for the Public Service Commission (PSC) to complete the recruitment process.


When contacted principal GMC, Dr Rajinder Singh expressed his helplessness and said that they are looking towards the PSC. “We cannot do anything till we have specialist doctors. We are creating infrastructure and when we get manpower, these OTs will be made functional”, Singh said.


A senior official in the health department said that main reason for the delay in recruiting doctors is the financial implications involved for which the state government was looking towards the union health ministry for help.

449 gazetted officers facing corruption charges in J&K

Tahir Mushtaq


JAMMU, Dec 10: While the appointment of Chairman State Accountability Commission (SAC) has been put into cold storage, nearly 449 senior officers are facing trial in courts in different corruption cases in Jammu and Kashmir.


Sources said that nearly 210 cases involved 449 gazetted officers are pending before the Courts of Special Judge Anti-Corruption in Jammu and Srinagar.


Cases are also pending against 30 IAS officers, 20 IPS officers, 10 IFS officers, 3 former Vice-Chancellors of Universities, former Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Bank, 4 former Chief Engineers and former Director General of Police (DGP), official sources said.


Around 245 complaints against former and present ministers, MLAs of Jammu and Kashmir are pending before the Commission. The complaints pertain to the corruption, misuse of power, misappropriation, bunglings and illegal appointments.


The Gazetted officers including former directors social welfare and agriculture Kashmir, former chief engineers irrigation & flood control and roads and buildings, Kashmir division, executive engineers, block medical officers (BMOs) and block development officers (BDOs) are among prominent Gazetted officers who still are being tried against corruption charges.


The J&K was ranked as the 'number: 2 corrupt State in India' during the Congress-PDP coalition regime in Jammu and Kashmir.


“It must be a wakeup call for the State Government which is boasting of being committed to eliminate corruption from the state”, said a official.


Pertinent to mention here that in its report submitted to government, the SFC has termed certain public offices as “citadels of corruption and festering sores,” asking government to take “special care” of them by installing close circuit cameras in such places.


According to the Transparency International India (TII), J&K is the second most corrupt state in India, which itself is the most corrupt country in the world with corrupt elements having stashed nearly 400 lakh crores of Indian rupees in the foreign banks, mostly in Switzerland.


However, insiders contest on the condition of anonymity the conclusion of the TII and say J&K is not the second most corrupt state but the most corrupt state in the country. Their view is that there are several persons in and outside the establishment who became multi-millionaire overnight.

Ailing health-sector; only 1 ventilator functional at SMGS hospital

Tahir Mushtaq


JAMMU, Dec 07: The only government-run specialised Gynaecology and Paediatrics hospital in the region - Shri Maharaja Ghulab Singh (SMGS) Hospital - has only one ventilator functional. 


Sources revealed that the hospital has only one ventilator as of now and all patients who are required to be put on artificial respiratory support system are shifted to already over-burdened Government Medical College hospital (GMC) Jammu. 


They said that about one year back administration had procured an additional ventilator for the new Paediatrics block, but it is also lying nonp-functional as there are no required doctors and para-medical staff. 
Absence of ventilators, the most important requirement of Pediatrics is causing much worry to the patients and their wards. The hospital draws an influx of nearly 1,200 patients in its OPD, besides 50-60 patients are admitted on daily basis in both wards. 


“Hospital is faced with shortage of manpower, equipment and infrastructure but we cannot do anything in this regard as decision has to be taken by the government to fill the vacancies to run equipments. We have to wait for the decisions of the administration” said a senior Doctor. 


Patients said that in the absence of life-saving equipments people are left with no choice but to shift their patients to private nursing homes, while it is the poor who suffer the most due to the government’s indecision in this regard. 


In case of emergency, patients are shifted to GMC. We are waiting for the recruitment process initiated by the Public Service Commission (PSC).


These equipments need atleast three nurses, a doctor for continuous monitoring and other staff 550-bed hospital was overburdened with the burgeoning number of patients. The hospital accommodates more than 700 indoor patients on regular basis - a number beyond its existing capacity. Officials said that it is not only the lack of ventilators but the shortage of the doctors and para-medical staff was also casting shadow on the other departments like ENT and related branches of medical science.

Ban on Doctors practice and Need: Ailing people looks for middle path

Tahir Mushtaq


JAMMU, Dec 2: As the Hon'ble High Court has banned the private practice of the doctors in Jammu and Kashmir, the people desirous of taking private treatment from the Government doctors are facing hardships. The quality of service doctors provide to the patients during private practice is quite better than that being provided by them during the service hours at Government hospitals. Owing to this, the people are forced to catch up the doctors in their houses. 


It is an open fact that government run health institutions have failed to deliver the goods to the ailing people.Coupled with the manpower shortage and lack of facilities, for most of the people, private clinics was the last destination for them to seek medical advise. Now, that door has been closed and the people are forced to stand in queues. 


The situation is more dismal in rural areas where the health centres running under National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) do not have availability of equipments and other required infrastructure, besides, the staff appointed is also not adequate. Wishing anonymity a doctor posted in a Primary Health Centre (PHC) said that the government has provided us short infrastructure and staff is also less; we have to manage all patients within this condition. Showing helplessness she said many times we have sent demands for medicine and staff but nothing has been done so far. 


“This is just a showcase, but actually the condition of hospitals in the state is very grave. ”, said a senior doctor. Visiting any of the hospitals in the state, it can been seen that wards are overcrowded and when the doctors refuse admission to patients, they have no choice but to get admitted in private hospitals. 


“On an average 500 patients attend the different Out Patient Departments (OPDs). As per official records, the hospital also receives 80-100 indoor patients on daily basis”, said a source. 


Talking about the SMGS hospital, a senior government official said that government had a proposal to convert the hospital into the exclusive mother and child care hospital, by shifting both the dermatology and ENT departments from here to the Government Medical College (GMC), but they have no resources to implement it. 


The hospital is specialized in pediatrics and gynecology besides skin diseases. If sources were believed in this 550 bedded hospital there are about 800 to 1000 patients are admitted in the hospital on an average. And two patients were forced to accommodate in one bed. “At various instances the patients’ complaints that they are not getting proper treatment as required, but we are unable to give satisfactory treatment with proper concentration though the infrastructure is also not suitable” said a PG doctor. 


Though State government is claiming bringing unprecedented reforms in the health sector, dismal health scenario in the government sector has not changed much. On an average 3,097 persons depended upon one health institution in the state as against 2,662 in 2000-01. 


A paramedic also expressed that their strength was not sufficient which puts additional burden on the existing paramedics. She questioned, “The government is not been able to provide adequate staff and equipment in GMCH then why Super Specialty Hospital is being build. Instead of constructing buildings the focus must be on strengthening the existing health care system.”

Total smoking ban still distant dream

Vendors selling tobacco products outside the outside hospitals and educational institutions


Tahir Mushtaq


JAMMU, Dec 1: The irony continues when people can be seen buying cigarettes from small outlets; carry them inside unchecked and smoke in prohibited areas, which include hospitals. Despite ban on smoking in public places, the violation is rampant in the city with many of the tea stalls and Dhabas near educational institutions providing space for smoking and students in groups could be seen blowing the cigarettes.


The ban imposed restricts sale of tobacco and products to the people below 18 years of age. It also prohibits sale within 100 yards of education institutions and urges shops to property displays warning against the hazards of smoking, but they are the main violators.


Surprisingly the special teams constituted by the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) to check the violators and impose fines, seem to have little affect on the people.


“Outside most of the hospitals and educational institutions people can easily get tobacco products and space to smoke. For what purpose the ban has been imposed”, said Sheenu, a college student.


With tobacco particles in the air, the passive smoking becomes inevitable but common man has little say in stopping people who spoke openly.


The nationwide ban on smoking in public places was imposed in October 2008 under the provision of Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition and 
Advertisements and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution)-Act 2003. Later in 2007, the state government asked local bodies to strictly monitor the ban and take action against defaulters.


“I have seen shops with big warning selling Chutkis to the children, it’s strange that authorities expect that they will follow the directions”, said Kiran Bhat, a higher secondary school teacher.


However when contacted Health Officer JMC Dr. Anwar Choudhary said, “We have been routinely taking action against the violators and slap on the spot fines. But cooperation of people is also needed”.


He said keeping in view the public interest; they had also decided to start an awareness campaign across the city to bar people from violating the ban. “Instead of forcing us to take steps that will make them shell out the money, people should cooperate with the officials”, Choudhary said. At present, the fine ranges from Rs 200 to Rs 500 but in some cases it can be higher.

Doctor on maternity leave terminated by Health Minister

Tahir Mushtaq


JAMMU, Nov 30: Call it a dictatorship or abuse of power, taking maternity leave has cost a female doctor appointed under National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) her job.


According to sources the said doctor was appointed in Sub District Hospital (SDH), Marh in NRHM and was on leave without salary from the last 4 months but Health Minister Sham Lal Sharma terminated her from the job, moreover the Block Medical Officer (BMO) of the said hospital was also attached who sanctioned her (female doctor) leave.


Sources also said that the appointed staff under NRHM is doing equally as permanent staff, but the government is providing less pay and other facilities to them.


“From the last many years the state government has introduced NRHM, a centrally sponsored scheme, but till date no proper guidelines has set by the department due to which the appointed staff still suffers” said a doctor wishing anonymity.


The doctor further said that if there are no guidelines for without pay salary for the appointed staff under NRHM then the concerned BMO has to take action against her four months before when the said doctor applied for the maternity leave.


He added that the administrators is only making fun of the health system by appointed and terminated the staff as per their own wishes.


When contacted Director Health Services, Jammu Dr Madhu Khullar said that there is no procedure for leave on without salary in NRHM, so any doctor or paramedic need more leave, than its better for him/her to leave the job as the department is not supposed to sanction them more than 15 days leave.


She further said that if the doctor who has been terminated if whishes to rejoin the job then she will again give interview.


Refuting the statement that Health Minister has terminated the doctor Dr Khullar said that Minister has not issued any order of termination, but the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Jammu issued the termination order and also attached the concerned BMO.

500 engineers, architects trained to raise earthquake resistant structures

Tahir Mushtaq


JAMMU, Nov 29: Although Jammu and Kashmir still does not have any law making it compulsory to construct earthquake resistant buildings, the state disaster management cell constituted after the 2005 disaster has so far trained about 500 engineers and architects in construction of quake resistant structures. 


According to the officials the cell is now making plans to impart training to masons and construction workers on district basis so that they could use their expertise on the field particularly in rural areas.

Amir Ali, project coordinator of the cell said, “Still we have lot to do, but before 2005 we had no experience in disaster management, but we are learning now”. 


According to the officials all the people were trained with the assistance of National Institute of Disaster Management, Ahmedhabad and other national institutions. 


It is pertinent  to mention here that on October 8, 2005 a powerful earthquake had struck the Jammu and Kashmir including the Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), leaving about 1400 dead in J&K and around 70,000 dead in PoK and destroying thousands of structures. The cell was established after the killer quake both in Kashmir valley and Jammu region to coordinate the disaster management work in future. 


Ali said, “On technical front we are still not upto the mark but we are investing in technical as well as human resources so that we may not have to face the situation similar to 2005”.  


He said that the Disaster Management cell has also launched a ‘techno-legal Regime’ so to amend the building law to enforce construction of earthquake resistant structures. “So far there is no such law to enforce people to construct earthquake resistant structures and this technical legal regime was introduced to emend existing laws”, he said. 


Government has already issued order in March this year making it compulsory for all government departments to construct new buildings according to the quake resistant structures.  


Officials said that the cell will also conduct a training programme for doctors on disaster preparedness in which 50 doctors including 15 from Jammu region would be trained. 


The area of concern for the government and other agencies are the rural and far-flung areas of the state were lack of resources and modern building plans are still not been implemented. The cell has also approached the respective District Commissioners to nominate engineers and other technical staff so that they could be imparted training.

Ban of private practice by doctors, teachers: Will it stand test of time

Tahir Mushtaq


JAMMU, Nov 28: Though recently High Court of Jammu and Kashmir has banned the private practice of doctors and teachers, but again the question is can this menace be eradicated from the state.


This is not the first time when court has intervened to bring reforms in the both the crucial sectors of the society which has become a big money minting sector in Jammu and Kashmir.


The private sector has always been a profitable option for doctors and teachers serving in a government set-up, which graft the disparity in salary and working hours.


But, the ban imposed on private practice of government teachers and doctors by setting aside the part of instructions contained in Circular No. EDU-PS/C/S/11 dated August 11, 2005 by the Division Bench of State High Court comprising Chief Justice F M Ibrahim Kalifulla and Justice Virender Singh has irked both the professionals.


But big question still remain will this act of court put a curb on this menace.


Earlier steps were taken in this regard, but they had failed. Even strong measures by the government have failed to end this menace.


The state government had allowed medical teacher to practice privately after completing their duty hours at public hospitals. When they reviewed the order this year, they found that a few doctors attached to government hospitals had actually opted for private practice.


However, medical teachers claim that more than 40% government doctors indulge in private practice, but most of them prefer not to disclose details to the 
government.


"A large chunk of doctors among us do not opt for private practice officially, but enjoy the perks of working in a private set-up and also take the non-practicing allowance from the government. This is the main reason the government has issued the order," said an official requesting anonymity.


Sources said that in Jammu province there are around 70 to 80 private tuitions centres where the government teacher are taking classes of different subjects.


They also said that most of the teachers forced to the students in schools to take extra classes from them if they (student) wants to get good marks in assignments and other internals of the schools.


On the other side, the doctors serving in the government hospitals are busy in earning extra bulks by doing private practices. By giving precious gift items the private pharmaceuticals companies attracting the doctors towards private practices.


Now, the question arises will the concerned department take any concrete step on their employees who are doing private practices and taking private tuitions?

Govt. sleeping: Tainted officials run show at HP&M Deptt

Tahir Mushtaq


JAMMU, Nov 21: At a time when the government is making tall claims of eradication corruption in the government departments, tainted officials against whom there are pending cases of corruption in Crime Branch and Vigilance department, are running the show at Horticulture, Planning and Marketing(HP&M ) Department in Jammu and Kashmir.

Even both the officials have figured in the tainted officials list of Legislative Assembly during the past three years but despite clear cases of corruption against them they continue to take part in policy decisions of the department.  

Sources said that despite involvement of these officials in the embezzlement of crores of rupees, they have been given important assignments owing to their proximity with some ministers. Deputy Director, Kashmir, M.S Teli, has pending vigilance case against him for withdrawal of salary to the tune of Rs 6 lakh at a time against the post of Deputy Director and General Manager, Kashmir Fruit Federation (KFF).
But despite proven case of fraud no action has been taken against him so far.

“Though after the department inquiry, he returned back the money but despite committing fraud and misuse of position, he was allowed to go scot-free and even continues to enjoy power and authority in the department”, said a source.

If sources are to be believed, Crime Branch and Vigilance Department is also holding inquiry against Teli in alleged bungling in the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS). Sources said that for last six months his promotion for the post of Joint Director is pending as the higher authorities, considering his tainted record, is not issuing the mandatory Integrity Certificate ”, they alleged.

Similarly, Assistant Director, Shakuat Ahmed Khan, who also holds a key position in the department, is under scanner of crime branch and vigilance for his alleged role in misuse of public money during his posting. A senior officer alleged that there are Directions from the Administrative Department not to give any important assignment to Shaukat Ahmed Khan, but he has been given key role in organizing ongoing Fruit Mela,   in Jammu , besides other important assignments in the general functioning of the department.

As per the rules any official against whom there are allegations of corruption should not be allowed to take part in decision making but in case of these two officials, rules and regulations are being floated, clearly exposing the hollow claims of fight against corruption.

“Even the eye brows have been raised on the recently held fruit mela organised in Jammu, where fruits brought directly from the farmers were sold at higher prices. They were sold much above the market rate starting from Rs 60 to Rs 200. If these are brought from the cultivators directly, then why these are being sold at such high rates. The purpose of the whole show is doubtful”, alleged an official.

However, Director Horticulture Planning and Marketing, Muhammad Javed Khan said that the vigilance department has given No Objection Certificate (NoC) to both the officers.