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.

Traffic woes for Jammuities with Darbar Move

Tahir Mushtaq


JAMMU, Nov 16: After the Darbar Move to the winter capital of the State Jammu, there has been a rapid increase in the number of vehicles plying on the roads resulting in traffic congestion.


According to the sources, there is an increase of about seven to ten thousand vehicles in the past few days just because of Darbar Move in Jammu.


Heavy rush on the roads is now a common scene these days and frequent traffic jams has made the situation more worst.


Traffic cops are having a tough time on the roads to streamline the ever busy traffic. 


Maintenance of roads and flyover, repairing and painting of dividers would not help in solving the traffic problem unless some stern measures will be taken by the administration.


The existing flyover in Jammu which was made for shortening the distance to cover various routes of the city is utilized for the movement the VVIPs of the State after the shifting of Darbar to Srinagar in summer. 


When contacted Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Traffic, Jammu Zahid Manhas said “for the smooth functioning of the vehicles the traffic department has set up around ten to eleven check points”.


He added that as per the requirement of the location, the department has also increased three to four traffic personnel at every check point for the period of six months till the Civil Secretariat remains in Jammu.

For JKIL Azad still CM of J&K and Chairman of the company

Tahir Mushtaq


JAMMU, Nov 10: For Jammu and Kashmir Industries Limited (JKIL), Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad is still the Chief Minister of the state and chairman of the JKIL.


Surprised, but quite true as even after two years since the change of guard in the state, the company has not bothered to upgrade the website casting doubts over the tall claims of the state government which is investing crores of rupees in e-governance projects.


Not only this, as per the list of Board of Directors posted on the website, former Minister  of State Industries & Commerce department, Dr. Ramesh Chander Sharma,  is shown as vice-chairman, while  former chief secretary S S Kapur, who has since long retired from the service, is still as one of the  Directors of the PSU .


The list of the members of the Board of Directors available on the website of the state owned company www.jkil.gov.in.


Another director mentioned in the list is Atal Dullo with his position mentioned as Commissioner Secretary Forest Department, who is at present Commissioner Secretary Tourism.


Sources said that the lapse shows how serious the government is about modernizing the working of its offices and departments for which Chief Minister misses to chance to claim that he was keen to strengthen e-governance system in the state.


Few years back industries department had launched a major project to invite private investment in the state to create employment in the industrial sector.


Government had taken a major initiative about eight years back to implement e-governance in all the government departments, Public Sector Undertakings (PSU)s and other organisation under the centrally sponsored scheme. Most of the support is provided by National Informatics Centre (NIC), which is a premier institution of the Government of India, established in 1976. Respective departments have to maintain the infrastructure which includes the software content.


Even the website of NIC (J&K) does not have a list of the government department websites and only message it shows when one clicks the sub group is site under construction”, said an official.

Board of Directors

1.	Ghulam Nabi Azad, Hon’ble Chief Minister Minister I/C Industries & Commerce	Chairman
2.	Dr. Ramesh Chander Sharma, Hon’ble Minister of State, Industries & Commerce Deptt.	Vice-Chairman
3.	S. S. Kapur, Financial Commissioner, Planning & Development Deptt.	Director
4.	B. B. Vyas, Commissioner/Secretary to Govt. Finance Department	Director
5.	Lokesh Jha, Commissioner/Secretary to Govt. Industries & Commerce Deptt.	Director
6.	Atal Dulloo, Commissioner/Secretary to Govt. Forest Department	Director
7.	Raman Soni, Managing Director, J&K Industries Limited	Director

Swimming Pool in shambles at MA Stadium

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Nov 08: Uncertainty looms large over the future of budding swimmers due to delay in the renovation of the only Swimming Pool at MA Stadium here.

As a consequence, the budding swimmers are not only losing precious practice sessions but the non-conduct of domestic competitions has made the situation worse.

“What is the fun of getting admission in the stadium for practice when the concerned authorities are not taking keen interest in the renovation of the pool”, said one of the swimmers”.

“How can you expect from us to win medals in the national competition when we do not have adequate facilities at our disposal”, he added.

“It looked as if the authorities are non- serious about the timely renovation of the swimming pool”, said another swimmer.

He added that “there is no dearth of talent in the State provided we should get opportunities and that could happen if we get adequate sports infrastructure to prove our worth at the higher level”.

Parents of the swimmers also expressed concern over non-seriousness of the authorities over his matter.

“In every competition, the ministers came and made announcements about spending huge amounts to construct stadiums but at the same time the existing sports infrastructure is lying in ruins”, said one of the parents.

“Constructing number of stadia in every district would not serve any purpose unless the authorities laid stress on keeping the existing infrastructure intact”, he opined.

“The Secretary, State Sports Council, Kiran Wattal has taken some initiatives to revive the sports scenario in the State but still there is a long way to go”, said another parent.

“It is high time now for the State Sports Council to act in time regarding the timely renovation of the swimming pool otherwise the time is not too far away when we lose faith over the functioning of the Sports Council”, he added.

Radio taxi jumbled in red-tapism despite efforts of CS

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Nov 04: To provide better transport facility to the people at the doorstep, the State Government has planned to introduce the concept of radio taxi few months back, but the fate of plan hangs in imbalance owing to red-tapism.


According to sources, Chief Secretary Madhav Lal had directed the transport authorities of the state to engage transaction advisor by September 5 for introducing radio taxi service in the twin capitals.
In this regard, he issued the directions during a high-level meeting. The transaction advisor will initiate the process of preparing and inviting bids in a transparent manner to facilitate launch of the radio cab service.


“The Radio Taxi Service, fitted with up-to-date facilities, on operation will be available at the doorsteps to the callers adding the facility will add modern and new dimensions to the traffic system in the state. The service will be available round the clock both to the citizens and tourists once it takes off and grows in popularity” sources added.


But till date no fruitful step has been taken by the concerned authority to make things happens and the plan is limited to the paper work only.


Sources maintained that this is not the first time when the state government has made strategies to improve the transportation facilities but failed to execute the same.

Patients suffer as non-functioning of technical equipments exposes tall claims

Tahir Mushtaq


JAMMU, Nov 03: Notwithstanding tall claims of Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) for providing better facilities, the non-functioning of technical equipments exposes it all as the patients who came from far flung areas of Jammu region for treatment are having a tough time.


According to sources, that there are only two Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan machines in the hospital.


Out of the two, one machine has been installed in the Emergency and the other is in ward. 


Few days back there was a technical fault in both machines due to which they stopped functioning.  The out of order MRI machine being installed in the hospital has made the situation even more worst.


Sources also revealed that the reports of X-Rays are also not correct thereby increasing woes of the patients. 


In a startling revelation by the sources, the doctors referred the patients to either Shri Maharaja Gulab Singh (SMGS) Hospital or some private hospital or a private laboratory for the tests.


“ I approached to GMCH for the HIV test and was suggested by the concerned doctor to go for private clinic of his choice for the said test which costed me Rs 1,460 which otherwise could be available in the hospital free of cost.


When contacted HoD Radio-Diagnosis Department, GMCH Dr. Ganshyam Dev Gupta said that due to voltage fluctuation, the tubes in the CT scan machine got fused.


He added that the repair work the machines is in progress and exuded confidence that the problem would be sorted out.


“The doctors on duty refer the patients to the SMGS Hospital for the tests but not to other private medical institutes” maintained Dr Gupta.