EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, June 13: Our superheroes-the Corona warriors, posted in the Office of Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Jammu are putting up untiring efforts during this crisis situation but the authorities are not showing any sympathy towards their herculean task as they are denied holidays and weekly off, and they are not even allowed to avail a single leave since March 2020.
Sources informed Early Times that some of the National Health Mission (NHM) staff posted in the office of CMO Jammu is forced to work late hours apart from denying it a weekly off of Sunday.
“Since March this year, when Coronavirus broke out in India and countrywide lockdown was imposed, we have not availed even a single holiday”, said one of NHM officials posted in CMO Office Jammu.
“Though, we are committed to fulfill mandate, even beyond scheduled working hours, working 10-12 hours in a day for 30 days in month, it is difficult for us to do justice with so much of workload. We cannot disobey order of our officers, but they should also not violate labour laws, while seeking our services”, said another NHM official.
“Regular work, without a single break, has made our life miserable, we cannot bear it anymore, but we don’t have any other option as if we object to violation of our rights, the department will expel us from our services”, said the helpless official, adding that there should be fixed time of our job.
“Initially, when we were asked for unpaid overtime due to Coronavirus outbreak, we voluntarily supported the cause to defeat the deadly COVID-19 pandemic. Now it has become a routine for us, we appeal the Lieutenant Governor, J&K UT to look into our plight and direct the higher authorities to give us some relaxation so that we could be able to perform our duties in a better environment, without any fear”, they added.
Dr Renu Sharma, Director Health Services Jammu, did not answer repeated phone calls made by this scribe on Friday and Saturday to take her comment on the issue while she also denied any response to the text messages sent for the purpose.
Meanwhile, repeated attempts, both by text messages and phone, to contact Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Jammu Dr J P Singh also proved fruitless as he also did not respond.
At least 10 phone calls were made and several text messages sent by this correspondent but all remained unanswered by the CMO. |
