PIL highlighting inadequate health infra
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 5: In the much publicized Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Balwinder Singh highlighting inadequate health infrastructure and shortage of doctors/paramedics in both the UTs of J&K and Ladakh, a Division Bench of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court comprising Chief Justice Tashi Rabstan and Justice M A Chowdhary today expressed deep anguish/displeasure over the non-filling of response by both the UTs to the suggestions filed by Advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed for improving healthcare in both the UTs.
The Division Bench was surprised over the non-serious attitude of both the UTs and reluctantly allowed two weeks’ time as last and final opportunity to Senior AAG SS Nanda and DSGI Vishal Sharma to do the needful in terms of order dated February 4, 2025 failing which Administrative Secretaries of Health & Medical Education Department, Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir as well as Union Territory of Ladakh, shall appear in person before the court on the next date of hearing to explain their position.
Advocate SS Ahmed with Advocates Rahul Raina, Supriya Chouhan and M Zulkarnain Choudhary appearing for the PIL further submitted that since 2012 the posts of Dental Surgeons have not been advertised and on the last date of hearing, the Division Bench had categorically directed both the UTs to disclose as to why the posts of Dental Surgeons are not being advertised.
“It is unfortunate that there is complete non-serious approach towards the health care and the directions of the Division Bench by both the UTs”, he added.
At this stage, the Division Bench, in the open court, remarked that they may call Chief Secretary in case the directions passed on February 4, 2025 are not carried out by the Administrative Secretaries.
The Chief Justice Tashi Rabstan, in the open court, remarked that recently he visited the Govt Medical College Jammu and was surprised that a patient from CD hospital was being shifted through the main road by stature to the GMC. He sought the suggestions from Advocate SS Ahmed for connecting all the hospitals through over-head bridges in order to avoid inconvenience for their shifting from one hospital to another.
Looking into the urgency involved in the matter, the Division Bench directed the Registry to re-notify the instant PIL on March 24.
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