Health Deptt says building incomplete
R&B says work halt due to paucity of funds
Kashmir Despatch News
Sopore: Primary Health Centre (PHC) constructed years ago in Botingoo village of north Kashmir’s Sopore is yet to be made functional.
According to locals years have passed since the building was completed but it is still lying closed due to the callous approach of the concerned authorities.
Irfan Ahmed a resident told Kashmir Despatch, we villagers have to cover a long distance to go to the hospital in Sopore town, he said that work on the PHC building at Botingoo was completed years ago but it is still lying closed and now has become the hub of illegal activities.
Sajad another resident said, despite spending a huge amount of money on the construction of this PHC building people, in general, are not getting any benefit from it. He said why it has not been made functional after its completion some 13 years ago.
While accusing local administration as well as the health department of apathy, the residents said that had this building been made functional, they would have been getting all the facilities here and would have not to cover long distances for a minor disease.
Saima a college student told Kashmir Despatch for a normal checkup, we have to visit Sopore hospital. The health department, as well as district administration, should take up the matter seriously so that this building could be made functional for the convenience of the general public.
Dr. Rudiana an in-charge officer at Sub District Sopore told Kashmir Despatch that already an old building is functional smoothly there, She said that the new building is yet to complete and once the pending work is completed then the only building will be functional and till that health department will not overtake new building. Dr said that a letter has already been issued to Deputy Commissioner regarding this issue.
The doctor said that people there want us to take the incomplete building because they have their funda they don’t know our limitation but our sub-center in an old building is working and unless and until work on the new building is completed then it will be made functional.
When asked how much time it will take more as already 13 years have passed Dr replied it’s the contractor who has to complete it, it is R&B department work. she said the department has given a particular budget to the R&B and they have to combine as per the guidelines and as per the things which department is in requirement off.
Xen R&B Sopore Saleem Ahmed, when contacted, told Kashmir Despatch said work has come to halt due to paucity of funds, He said once the funds are released, we will complete the project within a short period. we have already written to the government to provide funds he added.
(Inputs from Junaid Bhat)
