Zira asks CMO to probe
Tribune News Service

PATIALA, Nov 3 — Punjab Minister of State for Health Inderjit Singh Zira today directed the district Civil Surgeon to conduct an immediate inquiry into the reported installation of a "Ram Jyoti" in a ward of Mata Kaushalya Hospital here.

The Mata Kaushalya Bachao Committee, which is spearheading an agitation to protest against the building of a new building of the judicial complex, which it claims is being built on land belonging to the hospital, had brought a flame lighted from Gharam, the native village of Mata Kaushalya, mother of Lord Rama, to the hospital earlier. The hospital was known as Lady Dufferin hospital earlier. But its name had been changed to Mata Kaushalya by Giani Zail Singh.

Talking to reporters after taking part in a seminar organised by the Punjab Languages Department, Mr Zira even asked the Civil Surgeon if there was any truth in reports emanating about the installation of a Ram Jyoti in a ward of the hospital after being kept in a separate room earlier besides regular 'prabhat pheris' being carried out in this regard. When the Civil Surgeon professed ignorance about the matter. Mr Zira ordered him to submit a report regarding the matter within two days.

Mr Zira also instructed the Civil Surgeon to submit a report on the number of doctors working on deputation in the district within a week. He said he was doing this as there were reports of doctors posted in rural areas working in the city on deputation despite there being no need for the same.

Mr Zira also directed that work-charged employees be hired judiciously to ensure there was no crowding of dispensaries by such staff. He said the requirement of the dispensary or the institution should be kept in mind before hiring work-charged employees.

He also announced the purchase of 17 mobile vans by the government. He said one van would be allocated to each district and that it would be endeavoured to augment the service. He said the mobile vans would become operational within a week.

Earlier addressing the seminar organised by the Punjab Languages Department to celebrate Punjabi week Mr Zira called upon all employees to use Punjabi in official work. He urged the Languages Department to continue with its drive to implement the use of Punjabi in government offices.

Speaking on the occasion, Languages Department Director Madan Lal Hasija said the department was bringing out a series of books by renowned authors during the run-up to the tercentenary celebrations of the birth of the Khalsa.