SRINAGAR: Directorate of Health Services Kashmir (DHSK) has directed the officers concerned to immediately deactivate all part-time sweepers deployed without following proper procedures. The move came after it was revealed that these appointments were made unlawfully.
As per the order issued by the Deputy Director of Health Services, Kashmir, all Chief Medical Officers, Medical Superintendents and Block Health Officers in the district have been directed to no longer use the services of these part-time sweepers. They are warned that failure to comply with this directive will make the relevant Drawing and Payment Officer (DDO) personally liable for all related liabilities.
“As per the direction of the administrative department, all part-time sweepers deployed without any legal/proper procedure are directed to be suspended immediately and the officers/officers responsible for the same be identified for discipline,” the order reads. “Since they engage in such activities without following proper procedure, an investigation will be initiated against them as required by the rules.”
The Health and Medical Education (H&ME) department had written to DHSK Kashmir on October 16 to deactivate all part-time sweepers and submit an action report within a week.
Moreover, the cleaning process was outsourced, leading to the appointment of these part-time sweepers not being paid because they were not covered by regular budget allocations.
In response to this issue, the H&ME department instructed DHSK to decommission these sweepers and submit an action report within a week. The ministry cited the unnecessary maintenance of these services, given the shift to an outsourcing model for sanitation activities, and also highlighted the lack of a legal basis for retaining these part-time sweepers.
In its latest communication, the H&ME department reiterated the need to phase out part-time sweepers and submit an action report. He also pointed out the need to comply with the orders of the Supreme Court and address the issue of arrears of the petitioners in line with the recommendations of the Ministry of Finance.
Additionally, the H&ME department expressed its dissatisfaction with the incomplete information provided by DHSK on the issue and called for a more proactive approach in addressing such issues in the future.
“… your attention is brought to your letter dated 09.10.2023, numbered DHSK/Legal/7078516/248-49; In this article, you have provided very incomplete information without proposing to take any action against the guilty officers/authorities. This post office destruction may hereafter be politely discontinued,” the order reads
(With input from KNO)
news source (www.thekashmirmonitor.net)
