State of health sector: Two new colleges premises ready, but govt forgets to arrange staff
Srinagar: The two Unani and Ayurveda Medical Colleges which were set up by the government in Jammu and Ganderbal districts have been left midway as no directions have been issued to the creation of nearly 446 posts to run these two institutions.
“The infrastructure is in place at both the spots, however, it has been rendered useless due to the non-availability of manpower to run these facilities apparently meant to serve as medical colleges,” said an official wishing not to be named.
As per the officials, in order to run these two Ayurveda and Unani Medical Colleges/ Hospitals at two different spots, there was a need to create 446 posts. However, the government deemed it fit to go for creation of infrastructure and leave the rest uncared.
The unabated creation of infrastructure, with the non-availability of the specialized manpower to run the same, seems to have multifaceted consequences. With large sums spent to construct buildings proving to be of no use, in the case of medical colleges, the career of hundreds of students is also put to stake, said the official.
What is more troubling is that the department has started the first batch of BAMS students in Ayurveda College Jammu, through ‘internal arrangement’.
“This year the college cannot afford to admit another batch of students due to the non-availability of the manpower,” the official revealed.
“The first batch of BAMS students at Jammu, comprising of 50 students, has already been started. The batch is being taken care of through an internal adjustment for the First Year,” officials said.
“The government seems to have jeopardized the career of these 50 students, who won’t be able to begin their 2nd year of the course due to the absence of the teaching faculty. “2nd year would not start if the staff is not sanctioned,” officials added.
Ironically, the government is planning to start the first academic session at Unani college at Ganderbal this year despite the fact that no effort has been spared to create facilities for the same.
The Health Department is considering to start the 1st academic session in Unani college Ganderbal from 2018 session, as there might be some chances that the staff will be sanctioned post manpower audit that has been carried out, officials said.
To have a wider look at the requirements for running the colleges/hospitals at both the places, there is a need of creating total 446 posts, 226 for Ganderbal Unani College and 220 at Ayurveda College, Jammu.
At Unani College, Ganderbal, the annual financial implication sums up to Rs.692.76 lakh and at the same, creation of posts at Ayurveda College, Jammu comes with the financial implication of Rs.697.98 lakh annual, with total financial implication at both the places being Rs 1390.74 Lakh.
The Health Department says that while a proposal was sent to the Finance Department for the creation of required 446 posts, the same was returned, seeking detailed justification as there was ‘huge’ financial implication involved.
The submitted proposal vide No: A/150(2002)-A-779 dated 08-09-2015 was returned by the Finance Department, with the observations seeking detailed justification, “detailed justification be provided in the matter in view of huge financial implication involved,” read the order. However, the proposal was re-submitted for concurrence and approval of the Finance Department, later.
Irfan Tramboo
