Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Health Minister Chowdhary Lal Singh has imposed a fine on several officials of the health department here for dereliction of their duties, an official spokesperson said.
During a surprise visit of the directorate of health service (DHS) Jammu yesterday, the minister took a serious note of storing newly purchased furniture like operation theatre trolleys, dressing stools, steel benches, patient beds, bedside lockers, foot-support steps, stretcher trolley on the roof of the building resulting in its damage due to rain, the spokesperson said.
He said the minister on the spot imposed a fine of Rs 20,000 on Medical Officer Stores (MO) and Rs 2,000 on storekeeper for dereliction of their duties.
Lal Singh also imposed fine of Rs 500 each on six officials of Directorate of Health Services Jammu who were without identity cards and Rs 5,000 on Chief Medical Officer of DHS Jammu for not asking the staff members to display their identity cards during duty hours.
He asked the employees to display their identity cards properly and maintain proper dress code and cleanliness in the offices.
The minister also inspected various sections including provincial drug store, Tuberculosis drug supply store, Leprosy section, Establishment section, Epidemiologist section, Malaria section, Entomological section and Medical Fitness and Death Record Section.
He directed the Director Health Services to immediately supply the hospital furniture to the health institutions of Jammu province located in far-off areas.
He directed the DHS to write off all the unserviceable stocked goods within 10 days under proper norms.
The minister asked the Director Health Services to properly check expiry date of drugs, disposal syringes and other goods before the supply of drugs to the hospitals so that people do not face any inconvenience.
He directed the DHS not to purchase any medicines since the available stock of medicines has not been supplied to the health institutions as per the requirements.
Later, Lal Singh also distributed long pending J-K State Medical Faculty Diplomas to the students of 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 batches that have already passed various examinations in the department.
PTI
