Govt inherited staff shortages, filling vacancies at fast pace: Sakeena

Tangmarg, Jul 3: Health and Education Minister Sakeena Itoo on Friday said the government is filling vacancies at a fast pace, despite it inheriting acute manpower shortages in the health and education sectors from erstwhile regimes.
Speaking to reporters here in north Kashmir, Minister Itoo, said around 400 newly recruited doctors are set to join the health department and will be posted in areas facing manpower shortages.
“We will try to adjust these 400 doctors and fill gaps wherever necessary especially in remote rural areas,” she said.
The Minister said the government faced major challenges after assuming office due to a large number of vacant posts in different departments.
“This government started from the zero. We had major challenges because of vacancies, but around 1,000 doctors have been recruited through the Public Service Commission after being referred by this government. Nearly 500 doctors have already been given appointment letters by the Chief Minister and another 400 are now set to join,” she said.
Itoo said similar efforts are underway in the education sector, where several key posts had remained vacant.
“This government started from zero. There were vacancies of Zonal Education Officers, Chief Education Officers, headmasters and even principals. The situation has improved now and the remaining vacancies will also be filled soon,” she said.
The Minister said the government’s focus is on strengthening public health and education institutions by ensuring adequate staffing, particularly in far flung areas. (KNO)