Govt to fill posts of medical specialist on priority

Tribune News Service

Shimla, February 11

Taking cognizance of their shortage, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh directed that the posts of medical specialist, including gynecologists, should be fulfilled at the earliest in Keylong in Lahaul and Spiti district.

Presiding over the first state level meeting of Women Welfare Board organised by the Department of Social Justice and Environment here today, he said none of the doctors or para-medical staff would be relieved from the tribal areas unless his/her counterpart joined in his/her place. It was also directed that at least one post of doctor should be filled in each primary health centre in Lahaul and Spiti.

The Chief Minister also informed that two more women police stations would be opened shortly at Kullu and Baddi. He said the government was trying to open women police station in every district phase-wise and a women constable had been deployed in every police station opened to address the grievances of women.

It was also disclosed that 20 per cent reservation was being provided to women in the posts of sub-inspectors in the Police Department. The Chief Minister also directed that the cases of domestic violence against women should be looked into seriously and if any such case comes to light, the victims should be provided justice immediately by law enforcing agencies.

Informing that the Bhartiya Mahila Bank (BMB) was providing loan facility of up to one crore to women entrepreneurs without any bank guarantee, the Chief Minister assured that the BMB would be provided adequate office space as per their specifications in all the districts of the state.

He urged the representatives of the BMB to open bank branches in the rural areas. He said that 40 per cent of seats were reserved for women both in private and the HRTC buses.

Regarding exemption of widows and disabled from income certificate for pensions, the Chief Minister said that there was no need of income certificate for pension to the women with 70 per cent disability and for those who were more than 80. A decision was also taken to take up the grievances of women regarding bank guarantee up to loan of one lakh in the state level bankers committee meeting.

Virbhadra also issued instructions that surprise checks should be conducted in anganwadi kendras to see whether the children were being provided adequate and clean food.