This is not a trivial matter that nearly 40 doctors and para-medic professionals played truancy in just one day in ever busy Sub-District Hospital Bishnah because the numbers are telling everything about the sordid tale of affairs in Jammu and Kashmir, where such a huge chunk of staff can remain unauthorisedly absent that too, when the chief minister Omar Abdullah has been demanding restoration of law and order powers to his Government.
Reportedly, MLA Bishnah Dr Rajeev Kumar Bhagat carried out a surprise inspection at the Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Bishnah, uncovering a startling case of mass absenteeism whereby 39 doctors and paramedical staff members were found absent from duty without sanctioned leave or prior intimation.
This is not the first case of an employee playing truancy under the incumbent government. Considering the situation in a healthcare institution in Jammu District after this startling revelation, one can gauge the condition of the police department, if the aforesaid powers will be restored to the UT government under the chief ministership of Omar Abdullah.
It is the right time for the incumbent dispensation to first set its own house in order before seeking more powers including running the affairs of security matters and the law and order.
It is really unacceptable that people in J&K have been forced to face such a phlegmatic attitude of the government employees, who despite being posted at the crucial healthcare centre are least bothered about their duties and responsibility.
Looking at this kind of governance, one can understand why the centre is showing reluctance in handing over powers to the UT government to oversee law and order.
It is the right time for the Omar Government to gird up loins and ensure that such delinquent employees should be dealt with utter strictness to deter absenteeism and other lethargic waywardness among those having the onus of providing succor to the people through direct interface at public facilities.
In the case of SDH Bishnah, it has become clear that people have to pass through hardships on account of staff’s difference and complete absence of monitoring by the officers meant for the same, clearly showcasing that the government needs to change the course and revamp systems so that no one could take undue liberties like the case of employees at this healthcare facility.
It is good that the concerned MLA has asked the Tehsildar Bishnah to withhold the salaries of all 39 absent employees but this is not a solution rather a mechanism should be devised to check this problem leaving no scope of any kind of hanky-panky.
All said and done, people at helm should change their mindset of sitting in cozy rooms and assuming all is well, because this very case has proved beyond doubt that all is not well and people are suffering as they used to suffer decades ago.
