news details |
|
|
| File Affidavit or Face Court: HC warns JPDCL, KPDCL MDs | | | Early Times Report JAMMU, Sept 8: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has granted a last and final opportunity of four weeks to the authorities to file a fresh affidavit in a suo motu Public Interest Litigation concerning critical healthcare infrastructure, warning that failure to comply would require the Managing Directors of Jammu Power Development Corporation Limited (JPDCL) and Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited (KPDCL) to appear personally before the Court. A Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Kumar and Justice Mohd Yousuf Wani passed the direction in WP(C)PIL No. 15/2025, Court on its Own Motion vs Commissioner/Secretary, Health and Medical Education Department and others. Advocate Sheikh Shakeel, assisted by Advocate Supriya Chowan, appeared in the matter, while Senior Additional Advocate General Monika Kohli represented the respondents. The Bench granted the respondents four weeks as a final opportunity to file the affidavit in terms of its earlier order dated July 22, 2026. It made clear that in case of default, the Managing Directors of both Jammu and Kashmir power distribution corporations would have to remain personally present before the Court on the next date of hearing. The matter has been listed for October 14, 2026. The PIL has been dealing with deficiencies in critical healthcare and diagnostic infrastructure in Government hospitals across Jammu and Kashmir, including delays in making advanced diagnostic equipment operational. In an earlier proceeding, the High Court was informed that seven 128-slice CT Scan machines had been procured, with four meant for hospitals in Jammu division and three for Kashmir. Subsequently, the Court was told that 128-slice CT Scan machines meant for District Hospital Budgam, District Hospital Poonch, SMGS Hospital Jammu and Super Speciality Hospital Srinagar had been delivered by the Japanese vendor on March 23, 2026. However, their installation and commissioning could not be completed due to non-availability of the requisite 150 KVA three-phase permanent power supply at the sites. The proceedings later widened to include delays concerning advanced MRI and PET Scan facilities in Government Medical Colleges across J&K. On July 22, the Court directed the Health and Medical Education Department to file an affidavit detailing the progress made in procurement and installation of these facilities after procedural bottlenecks relating to funds and specialised manpower were brought to its notice. (JNF) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|