 GS Asgotra
Early Times Report
jammu, Feb 28: Jia Lal (64), an unpaid helper, had been serving humanity since 1994, when he joined Civil Defence, Home Guard & State Disaster Response Force in militant affected State of Jammu and Kashmir, is waiting helping hand from Home Department.
He had been working restlessly to save humanity from calamity, either created by manmade or natural. But now, being bedridden for last 20 months, is seeking medical support from Home Department, ironically the Home Department is not paying any heed on bedridden, former civil volunteer.
"On June 2014, I was on the way to my home, after getting 10 days training of civil defence, and met an accident at Bikram Chowk Flyover near Super Specialty Hospital. In the accident I got major fracture on my left leg", narrated Jia Lal, who has been on bed for last 20 months.
He was at the post of Division Warden, when he met with the accident. A Division Warden, look after, a population over two lakh and the post is considered equivalent to Superintendent of Police.
Paradoxically, a Superintendent of Police gets all facilities from Home Department, but the volunteers who have been serving department with same manner, are not being considered at the time of need.
Jia Lal, is also a cultural activist, and also had educated to people of the State by staging plays on different occasion, with a message how to exploit nature on such extent, so that, the nature not bring catastrophe to human beings.
"The officials, in the office of Deputy Controller Civil Defence have suggested me that I can apply for medical-claim in the department. As Ministry of Home Department provide sufficient funds to overcome calamities", he said, adding that his case was lying unsettled for more than one and half year.
"I forwarded my case to the office of Lal Tendu Mohanti, ADGP, Home-guards/CD/SDRF. I'm repeatedly, reminding the authorities to release my compensation. Since I have no other option, through media I request to Governor NN Vohra kindly intervene into the matter, so that I can get compensated by the Home Department. It will also encourage the volunteers associated with the body", he said.
However, Jia Lal had also received President Medal for his services in the field of civil defence. "I rendered my service during bomb blast at Purani Mandi and Bus Stand Shalamar. I have also served during Amarnath Yatra, and many other occasions", he said.
It pertinent to mention here that the Civil Defence is constituted with participation of various departments including Health, PHE, Police, PDD and other departments, but unfortunately, except volunteers every member of civil defence are getting all the facilities during any mishap from their respective departments. |
