|| ZAHOOR GULZAR
Throwing rules to wind and undermining the norms, a medico hailing from South Kashmir’s Anantnag spent 18 years of his service in his home town with concerned authorities deeming it less important to transfer him to the other districts as per the laid down procedure. An RTI, a copy of which is with Kashmir Leader, reveals that Dr. Ab Majeed Mehrab R/o Bijbehara Anantnag joined Medical Services of J&K government as Junior Doctor in October 1997 and first place of posting was Medical officer Block Shangus Anantnag, reportedly with the help of political corridors.
During the course of service, reveals the RTI, Mehrab was transferred within one year from Shangus to Dooru 0n 08- 1998 as Medical officer SDH Dooru. Interestingly the Doctor didn’t like his posting at SDH Dooru and within a period of merely six months, he was accorded with the posting of his choice as Medcal Officer District Hospital Anantnag on 02-1999 to 04- 2008. Again Mehrab, as per the sources, this medico knocked the doors of politically influential persons and managed his new posting as Incharge Block Medical Offier BMO of his home Town Bijbehara on 07-2008 to 07-2011. Mehrab enjoyed this posting at his hometown for a period of three long years. Interestingly the distance between the office and his home was only half a kilometer . Pertinent to mention that during that period then government ordered accountability in health care system of the state especially the people who are residing in far-flung areas of the state and almost every doctor was transferred to look after these areas. But for Mehrab rules were meant for fools.
After spending three years of posting as in-charge BMO Bijbehara, Mehrab again managed his posting within the district with the help of some politicians and Bureaucrats as Incharge Dy. Medical Superintendent MCH Anantnag on 07-2011. As Dy. Medical Superintendent, Mehrab enjoyed his posting within his home district for a period of four years from: 07-2011 to 04-2015, RTI reveals. In 2015 during the change of Guard in J&K state, Late Mufti Mohmmad Syed took over as Chief Minister of the state and promised people good governance and accountability in every department with special emphasis on the health sector. But Mehrab again succeeded to get the new posting along with promotion and was transferred from MCH anantnag to District Hospital Anantnag on 04- 2015 as Medical Superintendent in- charge. It is pertinent to mention here that during his services from 1997, the doctor was never transferred from his home town Anantnag to any other district of the state which is not only injustice to other professionals but also humiliation to them as they have to work under his guidance although they are seniors.
In 2015 during the change of Guard in J&K state, Late Mufti Mohmmad Syed took over as Chief Minister of the state and promised people good governance and accountability in every department with special emphasis on the health sector. But Mehrab again succeeded to get the new posting along with promotion and was transferred from MCH anantnag to District Hospital Anantnag on 04-2015 as Medical Superintendent in-charge.
A Batch mate doctor on the condition of anonymity told Kashmir Leader that they were appointed on same day in health services of J&K government as was Mehrab. “But I be- long to a farmer’s family and couldn’t manage my bureaucratic and political approach for my postings and promotions. As a I am performing my duties in north Kashmir although I am hailing from south Kashmir.” Meanwhile, people of Anantnag are also surprised and are demanding action against the ‘erring’ doctor. It is pertinent to mention here that Dr. Ab.MajeedMehrab has always being heard, telling his subordinates that he is politically well connected and nobody from the state can trans- fer him from his hometown / district without his will, choice and consent . RTI revealed that Dr. Ab. Majeed Mehrab was appointed as a medical officer in 1997. No promotions in favor of the doctor has been made as yet, however has been working on some administrative posts in in-charge capacities.
( Information revealed through RTI and will continue to expose the highhandness of Medicos in feature)
