Srinagar: The J&K High Court granted one last opportunity to the Union Ministry of Home affairs to file a status report detailing out the information regarding the complaints received from professionals other than healthcare workers who have reported violence, threat or abuse.
The court said if the report was not filed by the next date, a strict action will be taken in the matter.
The court was informed by Assistant Solicitor General (ASGI), Vishal Sharma that despite intimation, he has not received any response from the concerned Ministry.
The court of Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Rajnesh Oswal after hearing the matter said, “We give one last opportunity to file a response in terms of our previous orders failing which we will be compelled to take a strict view in the matter.”
Meantime a report was filed by Tahir Majid Shamsi on behalf of the Ladakh government.
The court while perusing the report said, “We find that all that is mentioned regarding the issue under consideration is that there has been no instance of violence against healthcare professionals or property.”
The court mentioned in our present consideration, we have not asked for this report but was concerned with the need for legislation on the subject.
“Let Tahir Majid Shamsi, ASGI file a report on the issue which is under consideration on the next date of hearing,” the court directed.
Earlier the Union Ministry of Home affairs had declined to pass legislation for safety and care of doctors by reasoning that other professionals will seek the same remedy.
In this regard the court had asked about the information regarding the complaints received from other professionals.
The Doctor Association of Kashmir (DAK) led by President Dr Suhail Naik in his response has sought enactment of specific law/legislation for safety and well-being of health care workers.

NUSRAT SIDIQ