‘Talents ignored, rules violated to accommodate coalition’s cronies’

CLP Leader Jora takes on Health Minister

BIVEK MATHUR

JAMMU: Coming down heavily on PDP-BJP government over alleged nepotism in Health and Medical Education (H&ME) Department, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader, Nawang Rigzin Jora said that the present dispensation has disturbed the system of appointments at premier hospitals of the states "just to accommodate their cronies."
Jora said this while speaking during discussion on grants of Health and Medical Education Department in the legislative assembly in the after-lunch session.
To justify his claim over alleged nepotism in the H&ME department, he said that in the Governing Body (GB) of Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Srinagar, there used to be a doctor of PGI Chandigarh, a doctor of AIIMS and a doctor from DG Health Services.
He said, “These were the most competent persons in the decision making body of the premier hospital and they used to help and guide the hospital authorities in the better interests of the state.”
"But all the 'competent' people have been replaced by the old cronies of this government's representatives or with the ones who are facing prosecution in different courts of law," Jora alleged.
He said one of the new appointees, Dr Khursheed Alam, is facing case in the court of law while another doctor, Dr Altaf Ramzan, posted with Neurosurgery Department is also facing one case.
Another Doctor in SKIMS, Samaiya Rashid, as claimed by Jora, is sister-in-law of Finance Minister, Dr Haseeb A Drabu.
"Let me puncture your tall claims of better healthcare. I would say, you have done nothing other than accommodating your cronies in Health Department," he said.
He also slammed the H&ME Minister for poor condition of ambulances in J&K.
The CLP leader said there are 900 ambulances across the state but they are no less than a Chagda (A worn-out truck used in peripherals). “Most of the critical patients die en-route to hospitals in those worn-out ambulances. They are only meant for transportation,” Jora said.
Speaking on the government’s proposals on critical care ambulances, he said, “It’s been around two years that we are listening from this government that critical care ambulances would be given to every district. But I wouldn’t hesitate in saying this that the announcements in this regard are merely lip services.”
Jora however complimented the H&ME Minister, Bali Bhagat for “considerable improvement in major health indicators” like the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), getting success in decreasing the cases of Leprosy and Polio in Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing Bali Bhagat, he said, “Both in your government and our (NC-Congress) government, the health indicators have shown upward trends.
"In 2006, the IMR was 52 which has been decreased to 34 now. So it is remarkable improvement," he complimented.
Jora also spoke on alleged molestation of students of Leh and Kargil by a doctor of Jammu and wanted the government hold meetings with the aggrieved students and punish the doctor concerned.