LARKANA: Few bungalows and quarters of Chandka Medical College Hospital (CMCH), Larkana, have been illegally occupied, but the administration is reluctant to take any action against the occupants who are very influential and have strong political backing.
One shop was recently constructed on government land in children hospital by an influential political person allegedly in presence of former Larkana’s assistant commissioner and the CMCH authorities remained silent while another canteen has also been forcibly occupied.
Deputy Medical Superintendent (DMS) of Shaikh Zayed Hospital for Women (SKHW) retired in 2012, but she continued to occupy the bungalow in SKHW.
According to a list, 23 CMCH bungalows and 53 quarters are located in the teaching block. Five bungalows and 105 quarters are located in civil hospital block and one bungalow and four quarters are in SKHW.
One guard who was allotted A-type quarter in civil hospital block has sublet it to a cop who is residing with his family since long. A driver expired eight years ago but C-type quarter has not yet been vacated. One OT Technician has also occupied another C-type quarter.
Two doctors were allotted CMCH bungalows on political grounds by previous Medical Superintendent (MS) because both were serving in Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University (SMBBMU) hence were ineligible.
All of them are using all government facilities including free unlimited electricity. More than two air-conditioners are installed in these bungalows and quarters and during prolonged outages electricity of hospital generators is used forcibly by the occupants with the assistance of CMCH staff, sources claimed.
There is no estate policy to determine who is entitled to government accommodation and who will ensure whether house rent is deducted or not.
No separate electricity meters have so far been installed like gas meters at each bungalow or quarter which is why everyone is pressurizing to secure government residence.
Each CMCH shop is paying rent between Rs500 to Rs5000 per month which is against the present prevailing market rates. The apex court has already ordered the removal of all encroachments in the country but the encroachments made by the people living in these bungalows and quarters are yet to be removed along with illegal occupants.
When CMCH MS Dr Ali Gohar Dahri was asked why illegal occupants have not yet been removed, he avoided the question and then said that he has yet not been able to have a briefing of the hospital properties despite the fact that he allotted a quarter to his driver recently. He said that lists have been sent to higher authorities for action but no response has been received so far. He said that action will be taken as soon as government directed for the removal of all encroachment.
