Close all unregistered health clinics and medical stores, J

Srinagar, Nov 7 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir High Court (HC) has directed the administration to close all unregistered health clinics and medical stores and stop private practice by doctors covered by ban order of the court in the state.

The HC has also directed the government to complete the selection of 224 Assistant Surgeons.

A Division Bench (DB) comprising the Chief Justice and Justices Bashir Ahmad Khan and Bashir Ahmad Kirmani directed the Vigilance Organization to furnish an upto date status report regarding inspections conducted by them for assuring compliance of the directions passed by the court regarding closure of unregistered health clinics and medical stores in the state.

They alongwith administration of all districts shall also render all requisite assistance to health department and Drug Control Organization for effective implementation of the court directions.

We are also informed that some of the doctors covered by ban order on private practice are clandestinely undertaking such practice which besides being unethical is a clear violation of court directions also, the DB said.

It directed the respective controlling officers to furnish particulars of such doctors before the court for appropriate action in terms orders already passed in the matter.

Director Health Services, Kashmir was directed to assure provision of requisite staff to the Drug Controller authority alongwith a vehicle within two weeks for conducting surprise checks for effective implemention of the court directions.

The Deputy Commissioners of all districts of State who have not filed their status reports in terms of previous orders are directed to do the same before the matter comes up next on board with advance copy thereof to the court counsel.

Any further failure in this behalf would be viewed seriously and concerned officer made personally liable for default, the court warned.

Similarly, all the Senior Superintendents of Police who have yet to file their compliance reports shall do the same with advance copy to court counsel before the matter comes up next on board, failing which they shall be personally responsible for the default.

The court has directed the police officers to provide all assistance to Drug Contoller and other agencies for identifying the unregistered clinics and medical stores and ensure their closure.

The DB also passed additional directions asking the Public Service Commission through its Secretary, who was present in the court, to complete the selection process against 224 vacant posts of Assistant Surgeons.

UNI BAS YSS PDM HS1336