Called for exams,candidates return utterly frustrated
Div Com takes serious notice of lapses
Samaniya Bhat
SRINAGAR, Dec 27: The department of health in district Baramulla made a mockery of process of recruitment for different para medical posts by calling the candidates for examination who then returned to their homes with utter disappointment.
782 candidates were shortlisted for the exams to be held by district level health National Health Mission committee for different paramedical posts which were advertised by virtue of a notification bearing number NHM/2019/528799 dated December 3, 2019.
The exam was scheduled to be held in boys higher secondary school Baramulla on December 17-18, 2019.Braving a biting cold morning, as the candidates assembled at their examination center, they were informed that their examination has been cancelled for unknown reasons.
Javed Ahmad Rather, principal government boys higher secondary school Baramulla when contacted, said: “Yes,I was also informed in the evening of 16 December 2019 that examination scheduled to be held in our higher secondary as the examination center for para medical candidates has been cancelled. But I don’t know the reasons for cancellation of these examination.”
Many candidates who spoke to Kashmir Despatch expressed deep disappointment. “It was a traumatic experience for me. I had prepared for these exams and was ready to appear for the same with full confidence but at the eleventh hour we were told about cancellation of examination,” said a candidate whose family has no permanent source of income and had pinned all their hopes on her to run the family affairs.
Neelofar, one among the candidates who had assembled in higher secondary school for appearing in the examination, said “I went to boys higher secondary school Baramulla on the day of examination (December 17, 2019) and I got to know that the examination has been postponed for unknown reasons. This is how the health department is playing with our careers and has made a mockery of the recruitment process.”
Pertinently, Dr. DeebaKhan I/C CMO Baramulla being the member secretary of the NHM at district level was the only officer in knowhow of arrangements and question papers, which sources believe, she had kept at some unknown place while proceeding on leave.
“The conduct of exams under NHM recruitment is all about the CMO who is the member secretary at the district level committee that is headed by the DC as its chairman. She had left the station on December 10, 2019 and the examination notification was issued on December 3, 2019. How come is it possible that she did not know about the scheduled exams and behaved in such an irresponsible manner. This is clearly dereliction of duties,” a senior officer in the department of health services Kashmir observed.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Baseer Ahmad Khan who is known for his administrative acumen and strict disciplinary principles had ordered cancellation of leave of CMO Baramulla Dr.Deeba who was not present during a meeting chaired by Mr. Khan through Video Conferencing.
This resulted into issuance of a formal order by the directorate of Health Services Kashmir. “Wherea on 13-12-2019 during the meeting chaired by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, District Development Commissioner Baramulla conveyed that the doctor concerned proceeded on leave without prior intimation/information of the DDC. Whereas the action of the doctor has been viewed seriously by the authorities. Now therefore as such the leave sanctioned in favor of Dr.Deeba I/C CMO Baramulla is cancelled with immediate effect and is directed to report back to her place of posting,” reads the order issued by director health services Kashmir vide number Est/3/1-133/2580 dated 14-12-2019.
Sources said that not only Dr. Deeba had left the station for one month sanctioned leave but her second in command District Health Officer also left the station with her for one month leaving no clue of examination papers for the hapless candidates who had come from far flung areas to appear in the exams on December 17. Despite cancellation of her leave, Dr. Deeba has not joined back to her duties.
“Two senior officers leaving the station at the same time without conveying the arrangements including questions papers to anybody in the CMO’s office is beyond ones’ imagination,” a senior officer in health department told Kashmir Despatch.
District Development Commissioner Baramulla who is also the chairman of NHM committee, Dr Ghulam NabiItoo was not available for his comments.
However, when contacted, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan, IAS told Kashmir Despatch: “I will look into this issue. And regarding examination I will ensure that the same are held without any further delay.”
