KV Correspondent

GDC row: Minister orders enquiry  

Decrease Font Size Increase Font Size Text Size Print This Page

Srinagar: Breaking its silence the government finally took notice of the strike being observed by the students at Government Dental College & Hospital (GDC), Srinagar. The Minister for Health and Medical Education Bali Baghat Tuesday said that the Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar has been asked to submit an inquiry report pertaining to the issues within two days so that the issues are resolved once for all.

While talking to ‘Kashmir Vision’ over phone from Jammu, the Minister said that he was aware of the issues that the students at GDC were facing.

“The ministry has taken the cognizance of the issue and has ordered an inquiry into the matter so that the academic career of the students and the patient care is not allowed to suffer any further,” he said.

“I have asked Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar to inquire into the matter and submit its report along with recommendations so that the issue is resolved and the atmosphere of tranquility within the campus is restored as soon as possible,” the minister said. When asked how the government was going to act once the inquiry report is submitted, he said that the action will be taken as per the recommendation that will be made in the report.

“Surely, the action will be taken to restore the working atmosphere and the academics at the hospital,” he said, adding “action will be as per the recommendations of the report.”

Pertinently, the Post-Graduates and Under-Graduate students are demanding immediate removal of Dr Muhammad Mushtaq, head of the department Orthodontics, who allegedly,  is harassing the students making them do his domestic chores, apart from ‘torturing’ them mentally.

Notably, the students are accusing the administration of shielding the concerned head of the department by asking them to take his ‘abuse’ in a good spirit.

“The administration wants students to take Dr. Mohammad Mushtaq’s verbal and physical abuse in a good spirit. We, act like his drivers, pay his bills from our own pockets, fix curtains in his home,” the students Monday said in a statement issued to press.  

In order to press for their demands, the students are on strike for last five days now, which, apart from affecting the academics, is also making the patient care to suffer at the hospital which witnesses a rush of around 200-300 patients every day.

Meanwhile, medico body, Doctors’ Association of Kashmir (DAK) has also extended its full support to the students, and has also threatened state-wide agitation if the demands of the students are not met. 

The Jammu & Kashmir Dental Surgeons Association (JKDSA) has also come out for the support of the striking students, stating “the meritorious students cannot be treated like domestic help, drivers or slapped or abused.”  

Notably, the striking students on Tuesday met Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar Dr Abid Rasheed and apprised him of the issues that they are facing.

“We met the Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar today and put forth our demands to him, he gave a patient listening and said that the matter will be sorted out soon,” said Dr Manjeet Thakur from GDC.

On the other hand, the students of Indira Gandhi government Dental College & Hospital, Jammu also took out a protest rally within the campus in solidarity with the fellow students in Srinagar.

 


KV Correspondent

Kashmir Correspondent cover all daily updates for the newspaper

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *