Srinagar, Nov 04: Jammu and Kashmir, Health & Medical Education (H&ME) Department has ordered disengagement of all part-time sweepers who were working in hospitals for many years and were engaged without following due procedure, officials said today.
A directive, issued by Deputy Secretary to the Government, H&ME, stated that the engagement of part-time sweepers in health institutions lacked proper budget allocation and was not aligned with the current practice of outsourcing sanitation services.
“Further, the process of sanitation in government offices including the Health Department has been outsourced by the government, as a result of which the wages in respect of these part-time sweepers, who were engaged in health institutions, remained unpaid due to non-availability of funds as their engagement was not covered under any regular budget allocation,” read a directive addressed to Director Health Services Kashmir.
The H&ME order said due to the non-availability of remunerations, most of the part-time sweepers filed litigation in the Courts for releasing their wages and the Court, in case titled Mehraj Din Kumar and others vs Pawan Kotwal & others and in similar other cases, passed directions for release of wages in favour of the petitioners.
“The services of these part-time sweepers were continued without any source of funding under any head/budget despite the fact that the whole assignment is now being done on outsourcing basis. Therefore, there is no requirement or legal justification to continue the services of these part-time sweepers,” it said.
“I am directed to advise you to disengage all such part-time sweepers who were engaged without any due/proper procedure forthwith and identify the officers/officials who were responsible for the same so that disciplinary proceeding, as warranted under rules, shall be initiated against them for making such engagements without following proper procedure,” it said.
The action taken report, in this regard, be submitted to the Administrative Department within a week’s time positively.
Following the directions of the H&ME, the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir has directed Chief Medical Officers, Medical Superintendent, JLNM Hospital, Srinagar, Medical Superintendents of District Hospitals and Block Medical Officers to follow the orders.
“With reference to the subject cited above. in this connection, find enclosed herewith communication dated: 16.10.2023 received from Administrative Department wherein, it has been directed to disengage all part-time sweepers who were engaged without any due/ proper procedure forthwith and identity the officers/ officials who were responsible for the same so that disciplinary proceedings, as warranted under rules, shall be initiated against them for making such engagements without following proper procedure,” the order added.
The officers have been instructed not to utilize the services of these part time sweepers henceforth in compliance to the direction given by the Administrative Department failing which, the concerned DDO shall be personally responsible for incurring any liability by utilizing their services.
