J&K Govt approves appointment of 325 contractual drivers

Srinagar, Aug 28 (UNI) The Jammu and Kashmir Government has approved the appointment of 325 drivers on contractual basis in the Health Department.

This decision was taken keeping in view the dearth of drivers in the health institutions of far-flung areas, Minister for Health and Medical Education Pandit Mangar Ram Sharma said.

The driver, he said, would be appointed on contractual basis to meet the demand.

Reiterating that peace is the key to development, he called upon the people to remain aware of mischief's of miscreants and strengthen the hands of the government for faster development of Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing a public gathering after a inaugurating newly constructed double story hospital building at Shrakwara, Sopore, about 55 km from here the Minister said that the building has been completed at a cost of Rs 1.64 crore with all modern Medicare facilities, including x-ray, laboratory, operation theatre, OPD and labour room having the facility of 12-bedded indoor patients treatment.

He said healthcare facilities are being expanded in remote corners of the state, adding that various exemplary steps have been taken to set up new health institutions and upgrade the existing ones.

Mr Mangat said that the construction work of the 300-bedded district hospital complex at Baramulla, at a cost of Rs 45 crore, is near completion while as 200-bedded Sofi Mohammad Akbar sub-district hospital at Sopore is also near completion at a cost of Rs 38 crore.

He said that the old sub-district hospital complex would be converted to a pediatric and maternity hospital with a capacity of 50 beds. He added that Rs 50 lakh is being incurred on the renovation, and addition and alteration of the old hospital complex. He said that the execution of Kriri and Quchomukam hospital buildings are also in progress at a total cost of Rs 5.93 crore.

UNI