Shortage of docs in far-flung areas in J&K and Ladakh: DB directs Sr AAG to file ATR in a plea seeking Over-Bridge for connecting GMC with other Associated Hospitals

Diplomat Correspondent
Jammu: DD, In the much publicized Public Interest Litigation (PIL No. 16/2018) filed by a renowned RTI Activist Balwinder Singh highlighting shortage of Doctors in the peripheral areas of both the Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh, a Division Bench of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh at Jammu comprising the Chief Justice Tashi Rabstan and Justice M.A. Chowdhary has directed Sr. AAG S.S. Nanda appearing for UT of J&K to file ‘Action Taken Report’ on the various communications addressed by the Principal and Dean Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu to the Chief Engineer PW (R&B) Department, Jammu with regard to the preparation of DPR of the proposed over-bridge or underpass for connecting Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu with the Bone and Joint Hospital, Chest Diseases Hospital, Psychiatric Hospital and upcoming new Critical Care Block Hospital within the premises of CD Hospital in order to ferry the patients and medical personnel from one hospital to other safely.
When this PIL came up for hearing, Advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed with Advocates Rahul Raina, Supriya Chouhan, M. Zulkarnain Chowdhary and Aadhar Gupta appearing for the petitioner-S. Balwinder Singh submitted that the petitioner has filed a fresh Miscellaneous Miscellaneous Application (CM No.1400/2025) seeking a direction to Chief Engineer PW (R&B) Department, Jammu to place before this Court DPR of the proposed over-bridge for connecting GMC, Jammu with aforementioned Associated Hospitals.
Advocate S.S. Ahmed drew the attention of the Division Bench towards several communications starting from June 12th, 2023 from Principal and Dean GMC, Jammu to the Chief Engineer PW (R&B) Department, Jammu followed by various reminders and lastly the communication dated March 4th, 2025 requiring the PW (R&B) Department, Jammu to do the needful by the submitting the requisite DPR paving way for the construction of proposed over bridge or underpass for connecting GMC, Jammu with the adjoining Associated Hospitals.
Advocate S.S. Ahmed further submitted that despite the lapse of almost twenty-two months, the DPR has not been prepared by the Office of Chief Engineer PW (R&B) Department, Jammu which shows the non-serious/callous approach towards the vital issue of health care by the PW (R&B) Department, Jammu.
After considering the submissions of Advocate S.S. Ahmed, the Division Bench comprising the Chief Justice Tashi Rabstan and Justice MA Chowdhary issued notice to the respondents which was accepted by Senior AAG S.S. Nanda on behalf of UT of J&K and he was directed to file the ‘Action Taken Report’ on the various communications addressed by the Principal and Dean GMC, Jammu well before the next date of hearing. The Division Bench further directed that the Registry shall furnish a copy of this order to Secretary PW (R&B) Department, Civil Secretariat, Jammu/Srinagar and the Chief Engineer PW (R&B) Department, Jammu to do the needful well before the next date of hearing, failing which the Chief Engineer PW (R&B) Department, Jammu shall appear in person before the Court on the next date of hearing.
Registry was further directed to provide a copy of this application i.e. CM No.1400/2025 as well as a copy of this order to Sr. AAG S.S. Nanda appearing for UT of J&K. DSGI Vishal Sharma also appeared on behalf of the UT of Ladakh. The Division Bench in the main PIL directed both Sr. AAG S.S. Nanda and DSGI Vishal Sharma to file the compliance in terms of order dated March 5th, 2025 well before the next date of hearing.
Looking into the importance of the matter, the Division Bench directed the Registry to re-notify the instant PIL on April 30th, 2025.DD