Row erupts over ‘forced’ flood relief donations at Pathankot hospital

Authorities at Pathankot Civil Hospital have been caught in a quandary after its Senior Medical Officer (SMO) allegedly issued a letter directing all regular staff to contribute fixed amounts for flood relief, despite donations under Mission Chardikala being voluntary in nature.

The letter, issued by SMO Dr Sunil Chand, had sparked a debate over whether it was genuine or fake. While Dr Chand was quick to claim the document was forged, distancing himself from the matter, Civil Surgeon (CS) Dr Sunita asserted that the letter was indeed authentic, but described it as “a routine letter.”

The communiqué, written on the official letterhead of the SMO and bearing his stamp, instructed staff to deposit specified sums into a nationalised bank account designated for flood relief and forward proof of payment to the “competent authority.”

Dr Sunita played down the incident, saying: “We have received directions from the Director (Health). This is a general circular and not much should be read into it.”

Senior doctors, however, maintained that Mission Chardikala is a voluntary initiative and no one could be coerced into contributing. “This is another form of arm-twisting. We are willing to donate according to our means, but it is wrong to demand a fixed amount. A donation, by definition, is a gift freely given, and no one can be legally compelled to make one,” said a senior member of the medical staff.

According to the letter, the prescribed amounts range from Rs 8,000 for a Senior Medical Officer, Rs 5,000 for a Medical Officer, Rs 2,000 each for Senior and Junior Pharmacy Officers, Senior and Junior Assistants, Rs 1,500 for Clerks, and Rs 1,000 for Class IV employees.

Hospital sources claim verbal instructions have also been issued, warning that the names of employees who fail to contribute will be reported to the Director (Health).