VALLEY DOCTORS CAUTIONED AGAINST GOVT CRITICISM

SRINAGAR: As coronavirus cases witness a surge in Kashmir, the J&K administration’s health department had issued a circular cautioning its employees of strict action for publicly criticising the efforts of the administration to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.

“It has been observed that some of the government servants are publically criticising the efforts of the administration to combat the coronavirus crisis, which is against service conduct rules.

There can be a difference of opinion or minor issues, which the government employees can bring into the notice of concerned authorities so that the issue is redressed,’’ read the order issued by director health services Kashmir.

The order said strict action will be initiated against such elements who resort to such uncalled for reporting to media.

“Any person disobeying any regulation or order made under the Epidemic Diseases, Act, 1897, shall be deemed to have committed an offence punishable under section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860), Mattoo said in the order.

Principal Secretary of planning department and administration spokesperson Rohit Kansal had not been forthcoming in providing details of the cases and their histories; instead, they would release details without giving all information. Even the J&K administrators of the hospitals were directed not to share details with the media or any other persons.