Srinagar, Sep 30 (KNO): The Government has informed the Assembly that there is no proposal under consideration to upgrade the Community Health Centre (CHC) Ramgarh. It also said the completion of buildings for several health facilities in the constituency depends on the availability of funds.
In a written reply to a question raised by Ramgarh MLA Dr Devinder Kumar Manyal, the Health and Medical Education Department outlined the status of projects and staffing in the constituency.
The government, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said the construction of PHC Bainglad, PHC Sanoora and the under-construction New Type Primary Health Centre (NTPHC) at Kaka Dabuj is being pursued.
PHC Bainglad has been approved under the UT Capex Budget 2026-27 at an estimated cost of Rs 265.67 lakh. Of the Rs 30 lakh allocated for the current financial year, Rs 15 lakh has been released. Tendering is underway, and the project is expected to be completed over two financial years, subject to funding.
For PHC Sanoora, the government said Phase I was approved during 2025-26 under the District Sector (CDF) at an estimated cost of Rs 53.94 lakh, against which Rs 50 lakh was released. Consultancy work has been allotted, and the project is expected to be completed by 2027-28, subject to the availability of funds.
The government said the construction of NTPHC Kaka Dabuj has faced financial and administrative hurdles. Initially taken up under the District Sector at an estimated cost of Rs 238.55 lakh, the project utilised Rs 44.43 lakh before being shifted to the UT Capex Budget in 2023-24. An additional Rs 21 lakh was released to expedite work.
Following the reorganisation of the Public Works Department in 2023, the project was reassigned to the R&B Division Vijaypur. The division later reported that the allocated funds were insufficient because of revisions to the Jammu and Kashmir Schedule of Rates (JKSOR).
A revised DPR of Rs 315.90 lakh has since been prepared and is under examination at the Directorate of Health Services, Jammu. The project will be considered for funding in the next financial year after the required administrative, financial and technical approvals are obtained, subject to fund availability.
On staffing, the government said it is taking steps to strengthen healthcare services across Jammu and Kashmir. It informed the House that 480 Medical Officer (Allopathic) posts were referred to the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC), against which 416 candidates were recommended and 335 appointed.
The newly appointed doctors are being deployed in peripheral, underserved and far-flung areas, including Ramgarh, as per administrative requirements.
The government also said 290 non-gazetted posts for the Jammu division were advertised by the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) in 2025, and the recruitment process is underway.
Regarding the proposed upgradation of CHC Ramgarh, the government categorically stated that no such proposal is under consideration. It said the department is currently focused on consolidating and strengthening existing healthcare infrastructure, while critical gaps, if any, will be assessed through feasibility studies. Digital healthcare initiatives, including teleconsultation and eSanjeevani services, will also be explored.
On the demand for permanent buildings for nine Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs) operating from rented premises, the government said the construction of NTPHC Kaka Dabuj has already been taken up. It added that land identification has begun for AAM Shehjadpur, AAM Karandi and AAM Rajpura.
Budgetary provisions for these facilities will be considered under relevant funding schemes once suitable land is identified, finalised and transferred in accordance with prescribed norms, subject to approvals and the availability of funds—(KNO)