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Time of India
16-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Hosp built in 2019, staff, equipment in place, but patients not allowed in
1 2 3 4 5 6 Wardha: A women's hospital, constructed at a cost of Rs21.23 crore behind the Civil Hospital in Itwara area, has remained shut since its completion four years ago, exposing serious lapses in healthcare planning and government accountability. Despite full civil construction, staffing, and procurement of medical equipment, the hospital has not yet been inaugurated or made functional. The hospital was designed to cater to women suffering from a range of health issues, including reproductive, renal, and abdominal conditions. Built within the District General Hospital premises, it features a capacity of up to 100 beds. The building was completed around 2019, yet access remains restricted — its gates locked, its corridors empty, and vegetation growing wild around in its premises. Ironically, in July 2023, 71 medical staff — 19 permanent and 52 on contract — were recruited for the facility. These include nurses, lab assistants, clerks, ward attendants, doctors, and even a superintendent. However, as the hospital remains shut, these staff members are currently working at the nearby District General Hospital while continuing to draw salaries meant for the new women's facility. Four ambulances and 24 items of medical equipment — ranging from ICU beds, ventilators, ECG machines, to oxygen cylinders — have also been procured. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Questions are now being raised about their current whereabouts and usage. Officials from the public works and health departments cite various reasons for the delay. "Though construction is complete, the hospital hasn't been commissioned due to lack of staff and pending fire and green building NOCs," said Amol Fate, junior engineer, PWD. Furthermore, despite its touted 100-bed plan, health officials now say the current structure only supports 40 beds. A new Rs14-crore proposal has been submitted for constructing a second floor to accommodate the remaining 60 beds. "Why are our leaders silent? Women from rural areas can't afford private healthcare. This hospital could be life-saving," said Durga Tatare, a local activist. "For over a decade, this hospital has been included in budget plans, but there is still no action. Is anyone accountable?" asked Jayashri Bhure, another activist. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Nihal Pandey said that local assembly representatives have not yet raised this issue in the Assembly. The continued silence suggests that there may be other vested interests behind the delay in opening of the hospital. Originally announced in 2013 along with similar women's hospitals in Yavatmal, Jalgaon, and Ratnagiri, only Wardha's facility remains unopened. Construction began in 2017 and concluded by 2019. The initial project cost of Rs14 crore ballooned to over Rs21 crore due to material cost escalation and design modifications. "The infrastructure is in place, but we still need more space to fully meet the original vision," said Dr Sumant Wagh, Civil Surgeon, Wardha. However, officials claim installation is on hold as the building has not yet been officially handed over to the health department. The Wardha Women's Hospital, meant to provide critical services to thousands of women in the region, now stands as a stark reminder of bureaucratic delay and poor planning. While similar hospitals in other districts have begun operations, Wardha's remains a ghost facility. Wardha: A women's hospital, constructed at a cost of Rs21.23 crore behind the Civil Hospital in Itwara area, has remained shut since its completion four years ago, exposing serious lapses in healthcare planning and government accountability. Despite full civil construction, staffing, and procurement of medical equipment, the hospital has not yet been inaugurated or made functional. The hospital was designed to cater to women suffering from a range of health issues, including reproductive, renal, and abdominal conditions. Built within the District General Hospital premises, it features a capacity of up to 100 beds. The building was completed around 2019, yet access remains restricted — its gates locked, its corridors empty, and vegetation growing wild around in its premises. Ironically, in July 2023, 71 medical staff — 19 permanent and 52 on contract — were recruited for the facility. These include nurses, lab assistants, clerks, ward attendants, doctors, and even a superintendent. However, as the hospital remains shut, these staff members are currently working at the nearby District General Hospital while continuing to draw salaries meant for the new women's facility. Four ambulances and 24 items of medical equipment — ranging from ICU beds, ventilators, ECG machines, to oxygen cylinders — have also been procured. Questions are now being raised about their current whereabouts and usage. Officials from the public works and health departments cite various reasons for the delay. "Though construction is complete, the hospital hasn't been commissioned due to lack of staff and pending fire and green building NOCs," said Amol Fate, junior engineer, PWD. Furthermore, despite its touted 100-bed plan, health officials now say the current structure only supports 40 beds. A new Rs14-crore proposal has been submitted for constructing a second floor to accommodate the remaining 60 beds. "Why are our leaders silent? Women from rural areas can't afford private healthcare. This hospital could be life-saving," said Durga Tatare, a local activist. "For over a decade, this hospital has been included in budget plans, but there is still no action. Is anyone accountable?" asked Jayashri Bhure, another activist. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Nihal Pandey said that local assembly representatives have not yet raised this issue in the Assembly. The continued silence suggests that there may be other vested interests behind the delay in opening of the hospital. Originally announced in 2013 along with similar women's hospitals in Yavatmal, Jalgaon, and Ratnagiri, only Wardha's facility remains unopened. Construction began in 2017 and concluded by 2019. The initial project cost of Rs14 crore ballooned to over Rs21 crore due to material cost escalation and design modifications. "The infrastructure is in place, but we still need more space to fully meet the original vision," said Dr Sumant Wagh, Civil Surgeon, Wardha. However, officials claim installation is on hold as the building has not yet been officially handed over to the health department. The Wardha Women's Hospital, meant to provide critical services to thousands of women in the region, now stands as a stark reminder of bureaucratic delay and poor planning. While similar hospitals in other districts have begun operations, Wardha's remains a ghost facility.
Express Tribune
16-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Lending to govt hits record high
The decline in ADR highlights banks' reluctance to lend aggressively, due to concerns about borrower creditworthiness, regulatory constraints or a lack of demand from the private sector. photo: file Listen to article At first glance, Pakistan's economy appears to be on the path to recovery, macro indicators are stabilising, and optimism is cautiously returning. But a closer look reveals that many of the country's deep-rooted structural problems remain unresolved. One such issue is the Investment-to-Deposit Ratio (IDR), which has now reached an all-time high of 103%, even exceeding total deposits. This means that banks are channelling the bulk of their deposits into government securities, effectively crowding out the private sector, the true engine of sustainable economic growth. While this trend may bolster short-term bank profitability and fiscal financing, it raises serious concerns about the long-term health of the real economy, which depends on private sector credit to drive investment, innovation, and job creation. Pakistan is bound by restrictions imposed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which prohibits the government from directly borrowing from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) through money printing. This measure is aimed at curbing unchecked monetary expansion, which fuels inflation and undermines economic stability. In response, the government machinery, including the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), has resorted to injecting massive liquidity into private banks through Open Market Operations (OMOs), recently reaching an unprecedented Rs14 trillion. This level of intervention is extraordinary, especially when compared to peer economies. The injected funds are then funnelled into government securities, creating a self-serving loop: banks earn risk-free profits by lending to the government, while the government avoids borrowing directly from the SBP. This cycle not only enriches a few without exposing them to market risks but also starves the real economy of credit, depriving millions of people and businesses of the economic opportunities they desperately need. "As of June 2025, the Investment-to-Deposit Ratio (IDR) reached 103%, up 608bps YoY, indicating that banks have invested more than their total deposits — highlighting a tilt towards government papers rather than private sector lending," noted Deputy Head of Trading at Arif Habib Ltd, Ali Najib. This means that banks have now invested more than their total deposits, a clear indication that they are increasingly favouring risk-free government securities over lending to the private sector. The trend underscores a cautious stance amid ongoing economic uncertainty. During the same period, total deposits rose by 14.1% year-on-year to Rs35.5 trillion, while bank investments surged by 21.2% to Rs36.6 trillion. In contrast, advances increased by only 8.7%, reaching Rs13.5 trillion, indicating a slower pace of credit expansion. This divergence in growth has led to a decline in the Advance-to-Deposit Ratio (ADR) to 38.1%, down from 40.0% a year earlier and 39.8% in May 2025. The decline in ADR highlights banks' reluctance to lend aggressively, partly due to concerns about borrower creditworthiness, regulatory constraints, or a lack of demand from the private sector — but mainly due to the fact that when there is a safe avenue, why would anybody take the risk? Looking ahead, the banking sector is expected to remain stable, according to AHL, supported by rising deposit inflows and strong earnings from government-backed investments. However, the continued preference for investment over lending could constrain private sector growth and job creation, unless broader macroeconomic stability and investor confidence are restored. Experts suggest that the central bank and policymakers may need to revisit regulatory and fiscal measures to encourage more balanced credit allocation across the economy.
Express Tribune
07-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
All graveyards in Karachi to be registered: Mayor Wahab
A man reads a prayer on a phone as he sits at Sakhi Hassan Graveyard, which is filled with plants seeded by relatives of the dead, in Karachi, July 12, 2022. REUTERS Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab has announced that all cemeteries across the city will be registered. Currently, 38 graveyards are managed by Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), but the city has over 200 burial grounds. He announced that the official rate for a grave within KMC-administered cemeteries is set at Rs14,300. The mayor also issued a warning to gravediggers and caretakers charging unauthorised fees, calling for strict action against violators. Read: KMC ends charged parking at 32 roads In January, the KMC began displaying banners at registered cemeteries to show the fixed burial rate of Rs14,300, following directives by Mayor Murtaza. Cemeteries Director Sarwar Alam had at the time warned staff against overcharging and stressed that no unregistered workers would be allowed inside graveyards. Mayor Murtaza last month unveiled the KMC Rs55.137 billion budget for the 2025–26 fiscal year. Over Rs5.3 billion has been earmarked for municipal operations, with more than Rs2.1 billion set aside for departments such as land management, katchi abadis, estate, and charged parking.
Express Tribune
27-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Minister vows to push for Karachi-Rohri track funding
The Karachi-Rohri section will be the most vital segment of the of the Mainline (ML)-1 project in terms of freight connectivity with Central Asia and Russia, as well as providing transportation link to the Thar coal and Reko Diq mines, Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi said on Friday. Talking to the reporters outside the Parliament House, the minister said that a major freight route from Lahore to Russia via Rohri, Zahedan and then in Tajikistan had been prepared, but its launch was delayed because of the 12-day between Iran and Israel. Abbasi highlighted termed the ML-1 segment between Karachi and Rohri the most challenging portion. "If needed, I will personally request the prime minister and the chief minister of Sindh to allocate funds to ensure its completion," he said. "This section is vital for the success of future projects like Thar coal transportation, Reko Diq project, freight connectivity with Central Asia and Russia, and realisation of the greater Asian rail linkage dream," he said, adding that the ML-2 and ML-3 lines were equally important for Pakistan's economic uplift. The minister revealed that a major international freight initiative - a rail route from Lahore to Zahedan via Rohri, extending to Tajikistan and Russia - had been prepared. "Had it not been for the war, this international cargo train would have rolled out on June 22," he noted. He stated that $5 million had been allocated in the budget to enhance regional railway connectivity with Uzbekistan. "The country's development is directly linked with the modernisation of the railway system," Abbasi stated, reaffirming his resolve to deliver on the Prime Minister Shehbaz's vision. To a question, he said that he would visit Karachi on July 6 and meet with Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah to discuss the province's demands for branch lines. "We aim to build the same kind of coordination with Sindh and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa [K-P] as we have with Punjab and Balochistan," he said. On the occasion, the minister shared updates on the railways development projects in Balochistan, stating that stations in Sibi, and Machh were being upgraded, and many such projects had already been implemented or were in progress. Abbasi highlighted major improvements in the facilities being provided to the passengers. "People who buy tickets worth Rs12,000 to Rs14,000 deserve better travel conditions," he said. "With the cooperation of the Punjab government, free Wi-Fi facility is being provided to 40 stations," he said. "We are going to install digital Point-of-Sale (POS) systems and ATMs at 348 stations across the country. "These digital initiatives will not only boost revenue but also enhance passenger facilitation," the minister added. "Previously, passengers would wait in queues for hours. They were asked to bring cash. Now, with digital payment machines and ATMs, we're eliminating these hurdles," the minister said. "The railways is being moved towards digitisation." He said a comprehensive plan for the recovery and optimal utilisation of the railways' vast land assets was being prepared, which would be presented to the prime minister. He noted that many encroachments had already been removed. Speaking about the other segments of the railway track, the minister said that the Punjab chief minister had allocated over Rs350 billion for upgrading the Lahore-Rawalpindi section and different other branches. The Balochistan government has also allocated Rs3 billion for Saryab and Kuchlak area. He also highlighted infrastructure upgrades, including the construction of three international-standard railway stations and modernisation of Quetta station. "Quetta's station has been upgraded, and a Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) train will soon begin operations within the city," he said.
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Time of India
Burglars strike at 5 houses, flee with booty worth over Rs14 lakh
1 2 3 Pune: Burglars struck at five separate houses in different parts of the city between June 25 and 26, and decamped with gold jewellery and cash, collectively worth over Rs14 lakh. Separate cases were registered with the Samarth, Swargate, Market Yard, Chandannagar, Nanded City and Phursungi police stations on Thursday. The Pune crime branch collected the CCTV footage from all the crime scenes to check if the same gang of burglars was involved in the thefts. A 63-year-old woman from Nana Peth on Thursday lodged a complaint with the Samarth police stating that some men on Wednesday (June 25) evening broke into her house. They allegedly stole gold jewellery and cash, collectively worth Rs4.58 lakh, from four cupboards in her bedroom. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune In another burglary, a few men entered a 59-year-old Phursungi resident's bungalow by breaking the locks of a balcony door and made off with cash, gold and silver jewellery, collectively worth Rs 4.77 lakh. The burglary happened in the early hours of Thursday, the Phursungi police said. Some men broke into the house of a 76-year-old resident of Wadgaonsheri on Thursday evening when she went out. They stole gold jewellery and cash, collectively worth Rs2.6 lakh. When the woman returned home after an hour, she found her house had been burgled. She later lodged a complaint with the Chandannagar police. In another house break-in, burglars broke into a flat in a housing society near Gangadham Chowk in the early hours of Thursday and made off with gold jewellery worth Rs1.85 lakh. Burglars entered a house in Dhayari early on Thursday morning by cutting its tin shade and stole two mobile handsets worth Rs40,000, the Nanded City police said.
