Dear Editor,
I am writing to bring to your attention a serious issue I have been facing with regard to my professional duties in the Department of Family Welfare, MCH & Immunization, J&K. I am currently serving as an Extension Educator at Emergency Hospital Qazigund, and I have encountered significant harassment and unfair treatment at the hands of my senior officer, the Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO) Kulgam, which has led to my unauthorised absence from duties.
In reference to the letter from the Deputy Chief Medical Officer Kulgam (Letter No. EST/DYCMO/K/191-97 Dated 04-09-2024), I would like to submit the following details. I joined the department on 06-01-2021 in Kulgam, where I was subjected to continuous harassment. The Deputy Chief Medical Officer made biased demands and insisted that I pay him Rs. 10,000 per month if I wished to continue my services in Kulgam. This payment was initially made through his assistant, and later through J&K Bank’s MPay App, to an account provided by his assistant, whose details remain suspicious. Despite fulfilling this demand, I was still not paid regularly.
After I refused to continue the illegal payments, the Deputy Chief Medical Officer transferred me to Emergency Hospital Qazigund. However, the harassment did not end there. I was further threatened by unknown individuals, allegedly associated with groups, who demanded that I contribute funds for their cause. I categorically refused and was threatened with dire consequences. This put my personal safety at risk.
I sought assistance from the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Jammu & Kashmir on 20-01-2024, which led to a departmental enquiry. Unfortunately, the enquiry was conducted under the supervision of the same officer, the DCMO, and the results are still pending.
Furthermore, I have submitted multiple requests for transfer to a different district, specifically District Samba, through letters dated 25-07-2023, 19-09-2023, and 31-12-2023. However, my requests have been continuously withheld by the Deputy Chief Medical Officer.
Given these circumstances, I am left with no choice but to request a transfer to District Samba to continue my professional duties in a safe and unbiased environment, free from harassment and threats. This will enable me to serve the department with the dedication it deserves.
I hope that the concerned authorities take immediate action to address this issue and provide me with the necessary support.
Parminder Singh
Extension Educator
Emergency Hospital Qazigund
