Early Times Report
Jammu, July 2: In a contempt petition in a Public Interest Litigation seeking establishment of eye-bank, a Division Bench while taking serious note of non-establishment of Eye-Bank at Jammu, directed MD J&K MSCL to personally appear in the next hearing.
Division Bench of State High Court Comprising Justice Rajesh Bindal and Justice Sindhu Sharma after hearing Adv Navneet Dubey for the applicant whereas Sr. AAG HA Siddqui for the State, observed that order was passed by this Court in the writ petition on 11.09.2012 for setting up of Eye Banks in Government Medical Colleges, Srinagar and Jammu. Even the funds were released by the Government, as is evident from communication dated 16.12.2015. It was submitted by the learned counsel for the petitioner that Eye Bank in Government Medical College, Srinagar was set up in the year 2017, whereas the matter pertaining to the Government Medical College, Jammu was lingering on. As submitted by Dr Sunanda Raina, out of 19 equipments requisitioned by them, 17 have been received. Out of which, 15 have been installed, whereas two are in the process. Two pending equipments are yet to be received from the J&K Medical Supplies Corporation Limited.
DB further directed that on the next date of hearing, specific affidavit of the Managing Director of the Jammu and Kashmir Medical Supplies Corporation Limited shall be filed stating the details as to when the requisition for the equipments was received and when the same was supplied in parts and when the supply of the entire material will be completed? The reason for delay in procurement shall also be explained. Details shall also be furnished about equipments procured for Government Medical College, Srinagar.
DB further directed Commissioner / Secretary, Department of Health and Medical Education, Govt. of J&K to ensure filing of affidavit of senior officer explaining the reason as to why setting up of eye banks in two Government Medical Colleges was not simultaneous, whereas the funds were released at the same time. He shall also apprise the Court if there were different specifications for the equipments procured for two eye banks to be set up in the State.
During the course of hearing, DB observed that it transpired at the time of hearing that besides two Medical Colleges at Jammu and Srinagar, five more Medical Colleges at Baramullah, Anantnag, Doda, Rajouri and Kathua are being set up. More and more people are being encouraged to donate eyes but the strange thing in the State is that even for opening eye bank, intervention of the court is required. It apparently means that the officers of the State are not sensitive enough to take the requirements on priority. Time schedule for setting up of eye banks in all the Medical Colleges in the State shall be placed before the court.
Dr Sunanda Raina, Principal GMC, further pointed out that for setting-up of Centre for Renal Transplant in Government Medical College, Jammu, entire infrastructure has been created, even the experts are also available. Funds had also been provided by the State. Requisition was sent to the J&K Medical Supplies Corporation Ltd. about a year back for procurement of the equipments. Till date, nothing has been done. The Corporation shall respond to this issue as well in the affidavit. |
