Srinagar, Nov 1: In what could be seen as sheer discrimination with Kashmir, out of 317 health centres getting benefits under “difficult area category” in National Rural Health Mission scheme, only 35 are in the Valley
 Out of 317 health centres, the lion’s share has gone to Jammu as 276 centres fall under this category from the province alone, while only 35 are in Valley and rest six are from Ladakh.
 Sources told Greater Kashmir that medicos posted in Indian System of Medicine and Allopathic dispensaries brought under purview of this scheme get incentives for postings in these centres categorized as “very difficult” and “difficult” areas due to rough terrain.
 According to them, medicos covered up under the scheme are getting Rs 8000 and 4000 respectively for serving in these areas.
 The share of entire valley is less than some Jammu districts. For instance in Udhampur, Doda and Rajouri 53, 86 and 37 centres were getting benefits for the task respectively.
 While in valley 13, 13, 4, 1,2,1, 1 are getting benefits in Bandipora, Kupwara, Baramulla, Srinagar, Islamabad (Anantnag), Pulwama and Budgam district respectively.
 Senior officials in health department told Greater Kashmir that this is sheer discrimination with valley, as many centres who deserved this category had not been brought under the scheme.
 “There are hundreds of hospitals located in remote and inaccessible areas which have not been covered under this category. This is deliberate attempt to favour a particular region and even on the floor of house, the government claimed that they will bring more areas of valley under the purview of the scheme, but nothing happened,” they said.
 A health department official wishing anonymity said that more than 250 health centres in Kashmir deserve this category.
 “Places like Tanghdar, Gurez and Uri are inaccessible and in every district there are more than 10 to 12 centres which should avail the benefit,” he said.
 When contacted, Minister of State for Health, Javaid Ahmed Dar told Greater Kashmir that those areas which were left out in valley would be covered. “It is under active consideration of government. When the areas would be classified again we will bring them under the scheme purview,” he said.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 1 Nov 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 1 Nov 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 2 Nov 2010 00:00:00 IST