JKPCC Orders Closure of 69 Healthcare Facilities in Jammu & Srinagar Districts

Jammu, Sept 11: The Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC) has ordered the closure of 69 healthcare facilities in Jammu and Srinagar districts for violating Environmental Laws and the Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016. Power and water connections to these units are to be snapped, and their de-registration has been directed.

Violations Cited by JKPCC

According to officials, many facilities were found operating without mandatory consent or authorization from the JKPCC, in violation of pollution control norms. Inspections revealed lack of proper segregation, collection, treatment, disposal of biomedical waste, endangering both public health and environment.

Authorities’ Orders & Penalties

The JKPCC, invoking its powers under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, has instructed the Deputy Commissioners of Jammu and Srinagar to enforce closures. Directors of Health Services are asked to de-register non-compliant units. Public Health Engineering and Power departments must disconnect utilities.

Facilities Affected

The affected healthcare units include hospitals, nursing homes, diagnostic centres, dental clinics and labs. In Srinagar, some named are Al-Ameen Hospital (Hyderpora), Imam Hussain Hospital (Bemina), Star Hospital (Sanat Nagar Bye Pass), etc. In Jammu, several diagnostic labs and dental clinics are among those listed.

Public & Environmental Impacts

Unchecked biomedical waste is described by JKPCC officials as a “silent killer,” with risks such as soil, air, and water contamination. Livelihoods of those employed by the institutions may be impacted, but authorities defend the move, saying legal compliance and public health cannot be compromised.

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Source: Daily Excelsior (Read original)

Labels: Environment, Public Health, Jammu & Kashmir, Healthcare Regulation, JKPCC

Tags: #PublicHealth #Regulation #JKPCC #Environment #Healthcare #DailyExcelsior

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