Govt official prosecuted for denying equipment to quarantine facility in JK

Prosecution proceedings have been initiated against the Principal of the Degree College at Tralin Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir for violating the district administration's orders and not providing the requisite equipmentfor newly established quarantine facilities, an official said Thursday.

"Prosecution proceedings have been initiated againstPrincipal, Degree College, Tral for violating orders of district administration and not providing equipmentincluding LPG gas heaters, electric heaters, generator sets, computer systems for the newly established quarantine facilities," an official spokesperson said.

The college has been turned into a quarantine facility for suspected cases of coronavirus.

Action has been initiated under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 against the principal, a government official, for his failure to perform the duties assigned to him and for obstructing government functionaries in discharging their duties, the spokesperson said.

He saidtermination notices were issued to two employees of the District Tuberculosis Centre who were found to be absent when the District Magistrate was inspecting the preparations to deal with COVID-19 cases at the centre.

District Magistrate, Pulwama reiterated that any laxity on the part of government functionaries involved in discharging duties related to prevention of COVID-19 shall be dealt with under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 andrelevant penal provisions.

He advised government employees to be proactive and make extra effort towards preventing the COVID-19 pandemic.