With great difficulty in speaking, Surajpal Singh accused these two officers of looting the department. He appealed to the Director General to take action against these two officers, who had denied leave to him
K Koushal
In an absolute case of insensitivity on the part of government, a reported corona patient Surajpal Singh, who had accused the officers of J&K Fire Service and Emergency Department of denying him a leave to consult doctor, died here at Chest and Disease Hospital Srinagar.
In his 50s, Surajpal Singh had recorded a video days before his death, which went viral on social media after his death, had lobbed serious allegations of ‘nepotism and corruption’ against officers of J&K Fire Service and Emergency Department.
“My condition is getting worse from the past four days and I have already brought this matter to the notice of DFO Budgam and Joint Director Srinagar of the J&K Fire Service and Emergency Department. I have requested them to provide me a driver, because I am not feeling well, but they paid no heed to it,” said Surajpal Singh in a viral video, adding that if anything happens to him, these two officers shall be held responsible.
With great difficulty in speaking, Surajpal Singh accused these two officers of looting the department. He appealed to the Director General to take action against these two officers, who had denied leave to him.
“I also request Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee, Budgam and Srinagar to file a case against these two officers in the court and put them behind bars,” said Surajpal Singh, adding that Joint Director takes monthly share of Rs 1500 from each incharge, while as DFO takes Rs 500.
Unclear with his words due to his ‘critical’ health condition, Surajpal Singh apparently tried to convey that these two officers were also instrumental in harassing employees of the minority community.
“When the employees of majority community apply for leave, nobody asked them the reasons or no objections were raised, but when any employee of minority community seeks leave, these two officers raised many questions,” he said and asserted that he had asked for leave, which is not only his right, but also his legal entitlement.
“I did not seek any favour from them, but my legal entitlement, because I was not feeling well,” said Surajpal Singh, adding, “I appeal Director General, J&K Fire Services and Emergency Department to take action against these two officers.”
He concluded by saying that if the Director General failed to take action against these two officers, it will be vindicated that he is also involved in their mischief.
However, community members have sought a thorough probe into the allegations and have demanded justice for the family, as well as, community.
“Firstly, I condemn and demand immediate, strong and strict action against these incompetent officials. I do not hesitate to call these officials incompetent because they didn’t show care for their employee, who had given his entire life to this department,” said social activist, Pardeep Singh Dardi, adding that it is unfortunate that the department showed utmost insensitivity towards Surajpal Singh.
The community members have also submitted a representation to the Lieutenant Governor, seeking justice. They have sought strict action against the erring officials.
“We demand, not only their customary suspension, but their termination because of their insensitive approach towards the corona patient,” said Dardi, adding that such incidents demoralize employees in general and minority employees in particular.
Meanwhile, terming the allegations serious and of grave nature, a senior officer from JK General Administrative Department, said that if the allegations proved to be true, then the officers concerned must be convicted under relevant sections of law.
“These are serious allegations and if proved true, the law is very strict against such issues,” said the officer, wishing anonymity. He added that corruption and nepotism are very ‘normal’ and ‘trendy’ in Jammu and Kashmir, but the allegations of denying leave to a corona patient is beyond humanity and civil services rules.
He, however, maintained that the Director General of Fire Services and Emergency Department should take up the matter on his own by initiating a probe, before this matter snowballs into something repulsive.
When contacted Director General, Fire Services and Emergency Department, Dr. B. Srinivas said “We have initiated a Departmental inquiry into the matter under DD Level Officer”. He further assured that inquiry will be culminated at the earliest.
