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| DB flags delay in CT scan installation in Govt hospitals | | ‘Poor, hapless patients continue to suffer’ | | Early Times Report
Jammu, May 20: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has expressed serious concern over the delay in installation and commissioning of 128 Slice CT Scan machines supplied for major government hospitals in the Union Territory, observing that with each day’s delay, the general public, particularly the poor and hapless, continue to suffer. A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Arun Palli and Justice Rajnesh Oswal passed the order in WP(C) PIL No. 15/2025, titled Court on its own motion vs Commissioner/Secretary to Health and Medical Education Department and others. The Court noted that as per the fresh affidavit filed by Mohd. Ashraf Chowdhary, General Manager, Jammu and Kashmir Medical Supplies Corporation Limited, the CT scan machines for District Hospital Budgam, District Hospital Poonch, SMGS Hospital Jammu and Super Specialty Hospital Srinagar had been delivered by the Japanese vendor on March 23, 2026. However, installation and commissioning could not be carried out due to non-availability of requisite 150 KVA three-phase permanent power supply at the respective sites.
The Bench observed that nearly two months had elapsed after delivery of the machines, but there was no indication whether the concerned authorities had taken effective steps to ensure timely installation and operation of the machines for the purpose for which they were requisitioned.
Taking note of the submissions, the Court impleaded Jammu Power Development Corporation Limited a d Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited through their Managing Directors as party respondents, directing them to submit specific affidavits regarding the issue of permanent power supply.
The Court was further informed that in respect of SMHS Hospital Srinagar, Chest Disease Hospital Jammu and Super Specialty Hospital Srinagar, the latest shipment dates under Letter of Credit conditions are July 18 and July 26, 2026, and suppliers have assured delivery and installation within the stipulated timelines.
In another significant development, the Health and Medical Education Department informed the Court that an inquiry report had found that Dr. Vipan Mangotra, Professor and Head of Department, Radio-Diagnosis, GMC Jammu, had admitted to engaging in private practice at a diagnostic facility in Reasi. The report also pointed to irregularities in biometric attendance and failure to obtain station leave, following which formal disciplinary proceedings have been initiated.
Amicus Curiae S. S. Ahmad submitted that the issue of private practice by government doctors required a deeper probe at the highest level, alleging that barring a few exceptions, several doctors in Government Medical Colleges and hospitals were engaged in private practice against norms.
The Court also directed the Senior Superintendent of Police, Jammu, to place the complete inquiry record before it for scrutiny.
The matter has been adjourned to June 2, 2026, and directed to be listed at Serial No. 1. (JNF) |
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