Srinagar, June 8: What could be seen as a glaring instance of non-seriousness, the officials of Medical Education Department did not turn up at the meeting of Legislative Assembly panel held here on Friday to discuss the deaths of infants at GB Pant Hospital.
As soon as the meeting started at Legislative Assembly complex this morning, the legislators were astonished to see that officials from the Medical Education Department were absent despite being called to the meeting.
The Estimates Committee headed by Choudhary Muhammad Ramzan had called the officials of Medical Education Department for their response and clarification over deaths of more than 480 infants at GB Pant Hospital during last five months. The panel was ordered to inquire into the deaths following the filing of a petition by two PDP legislators, Peerzada Mansoor and Syed Basharat Bukhari.
Sources told Greater Kashmir that legislators were kept waiting for more than 40 minutes by the officials and only Commissioner Secretary Medical Education Department, MK Divedi, turned up but he too arrived 20 minutes late.
According to sources, some legislators took strong exception to the absence of the officials and Divedi reportedly gave explanation for his late arrival in the meeting.
“Divedi blamed communication gap for the absence of officials and his late arrival,” sources said, adding that he was directed by the panel to ensure presence of the officials at the next meeting scheduled on June 14.
Senior National Conference leader Dr. Mustafa Kamaal said the panel took strong note of the absence of the officials.
However, Choudhary Muhammad Ramzan said that only Commissioner Secretary was called to the meeting.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 8 Jun 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 8 Jun 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 9 Jun 2012 00:00:00 IST