Demand to open CGHS Dispensary in Mega City of Ludhiana

Ludhiana: Dr Satish Kumar Thaman, a social activist, has written among others to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Minister for Communications Ravi Shankar Prasad and Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, mentioning that no CGHS Dispensary is in operation at Ludhiana, whereas CGHS Dispensary (CGHS Allopathic WCs) are in operation in Chandigarh and Jalandhar in Punjab).

He pointed out that why action is not being taken to open CGHS Dispensary, as per Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Directions, for Treatment of Central Govt Department Staff/ Central Govt Department undertakings and BSNL staff in mega city of Ludhiana.

He stated that there is an open space lying deserted in Rishi Nagar RBN Exchange Ludhiana, which can be utilized with the permission of General Manager Telecom Ludhiana being a Constitutional Head on the basis of status of ITS Officer.

Dr Thaman said as per Constitution of India, every employee/staff/retiree has the fundamental right to take medical treatment from all reputed hospitals and if CGHS Dispensary is opened in Mega city of Ludhiana, then employees / staff/ retirees are at liberty to offer preference of taking the treatment from CGHS Dispensary / CGHS Indoor and Outdoor Hospital (CGHS Allopathic WCs).

He further wrote that there are various central government offices in mega city of Ludhiana, such as Commissioner of Income Tax Rishi Nagar Ludhiana, Commissioner GST (Central Excise & Customs) Rishi Nagar Ludhiana, Departments of Railways Ministry, Senior Post Master Head Post Office, Mini Secretariat, Ferozepur Road, Ludhiana etc. and Bharat Sanchar Niqam Limited controlled General Manager Telecom Ludhiana and all are anxious to take treatment from CGHS Dispensary.

He urged that if directions are issued to concerned Directorate General of CGHS for opening of CGHS Dispensary in mega city of Ludhiana on the pattern of Chandigarh and Jalandhar (Punjab) by giving directions to all Central Govt Departments to constitute coordination committee, to enable all employees/staff / retirees of all Central Govt Departments to opt for medical treatment from CGHS Dispensary in Ludhiana.

He suggested that before issue of orders for opening of CGHS Dispensary in Mega City of Ludhiana, it is requested to send intimation to all Heads of the Central Govt Departments and it will be preferred if such news be circulated through press/ medial print media.