CHC still facing manpower shortage, ICU on papers only
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Nov 20: Unbelievable it may sound but it is a fact that directions issued by the Governor and the Chief Minister on several critical issues of holy town of Katra have remained on papers despite lapse of over nine months due to absolute non-seriousness on the part of the concerned bureaucrats, who otherwise were given specific timelines for translating the instructions into reality.
On February 16 this year, Governor N N Vohra and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti discussed various critical issues confronting the holy town of Katra with the top bureaucrats of the State and finally several important decisions of far reaching consequences were taken.
In order to ensure prompt follow-up action timelines were fixed in respect of certain decisions while as thrust was laid on expeditious completion of the formalities for other issues. It was also explicitly conveyed to all the bureaucrats attending the meeting that they should ensure proper coordination with each other or with their subordinates for time-bound implementation of decisions.
However, despite lapse of over nine months several decisions have remained only on papers because of the slackness and non-seriousness on the part of the concerned bureaucrats, official sources told EXCELSIOR.
In the meeting serious concern was expressed over continuing unplanned development, encroachments and violations of the Master Plan and stress was laid on strict implementation of Master Plan. To achieve this objective, directions were issued for filling up of all the vacant posts of Katra Development Authority and engagement of competent Town Planner. Moreover, the Housing and Urban Development Department was directed to immediately prepare Zonal Plans of Katra town keeping in view the need for planned development of base camp of pilgrimage to cave shrine of Shri Mata Vaishnodevi.
“Though selection process in respect of certain vacant posts has almost been completed yet competent Town Planner could not be engaged till date despite lapse of over nine months”, sources said while disclosing that Housing and Urban Development Department and Deputy Commissioner Reasi, who is the head of the Selection Committee have failed to reach any conclusion as to whether the post of Town Planner should be of district level and divisional level.
“Unless the Town Planner is engaged the process of preparation of Zonal Plans cannot be set into motion”, sources said while expressing concern over inability of the concerned authorities in taking decision on such a small issue.
In order to strengthen medical care services at CHC Katra keeping in view huge influx of pilgrims, the Governor and Chief Minister had issued directions for setting up of 5-bedded ICU in the CHC to be run on round the clock basis. Even instructions were issued to the Administrative Secretary of Health and Medical Education Department to fill up all the vacant posts particularly of General Surgeon in the CHC Katra on urgent basis.
Stating that both these directions have remained confined to the papers only, sources informed that one post of General Surgeon and two posts of Medical Officers are still lying vacant in CHC Katra. “The post of General Surgeon is lying vacant during the past one and half year as whosoever was transferred on this post managed to get the order modified within few days”, they said, adding “this indicates that there is no taker of Governor and Chief Minister’s directives in the Health Department otherwise nine months was sufficient period to post three doctors”.
About decision vis-à-vis 5-bedded ICU, sources informed that during the deliberations at the level of Administrative Secretary of Health and Medical Education Department it was decided that 3-bedded ICU would be sufficient for CHC Katra and the same would be set-up in the emergency wing of the old complex. Accordingly, Detailed Project Report (DPR) was prepared and submitted to the concerned authorities but thereafter no action was taken and DPR is presently lying in the Health Department for further decision, sources added.
“There is also no follow-up action on the decision vis-à-vis start of pre-paid auto rickshaws/taxis in the holy town for the convenience of the pilgrims”, sources said, adding “the Administrative Secretary of the Tourism Department has so far not issued any direction in this regard to the concerned officers of the department”.
This is notwithstanding the fact that in the meeting of February 16, 2017 the Chief Minister had directed Divisional Commissioner Jammu to ensure that counters for hiring of pre-paid auto rickshaws and taxis are set up within a period of 30 days.
It was also agreed in the meeting that the State Pollution Control Board and Reasi district administration shall take urgent steps for ensuring effective ban of polythene and disposable plastics in and around Katra town. “No doubt action has been taken by the officers of district administration at certain places but its impact is not visible on the ground and polythene and disposable plastics are still being used openly by the shopkeepers and vendors”, sources informed.
“Actually there is lack of coordination between the district administration and Pollution Control Board functionaries otherwise it is not difficult to enforce the ban strictly”, they said.
When asked, sources said, “no time-frame can be specified for start of underground cabling of HT/LT and service lines in Katra town and the shrine area for want of funds from the Government of India”, adding “it seems that the issue is not being vigorously pursued otherwise Union Government is very liberal in granting funds to the J&K particularly in power sector”.
“It is a matter of serious concern that the bureaucrats are dilly-dallying on the implementation of the directions issued by the Governor and the Chief Minister”, sources remarked and stressed the need of fixing the responsibility for delay in translating instructions into reality.
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