Latest news with #Rs440
Express Tribune
7 days ago
- Health
- Express Tribune
Children's Hospital staff unpaid for 4 months
Over 400 employees at the Sindh Government Children's Hospital in Karachi, operated under a public-private partnership, have reportedly gone unpaid for the past four months. Staff members have warned the administration that if their salaries are not disbursed by August, they will launch protest demonstrations. Speaking to The Express Tribune, hospital administrators confirmed the delay in salary payments. They assured that pending dues would be cleared next month, adding that the hospital's budget is currently in process and expected to be released within the coming week. The Sindh Government Children's Hospital was inaugurated in 2004 by former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. Initially managed by the provincial health department, the hospital began as a 50-bed facility built on 16 acres of land. Despite its promising start, the hospital has long struggled with poor infrastructure, limited services, and frequent staff protests. In 2013, a new building was constructed with support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), making it a unique facility among pediatric hospitals in the city. At the time, the provincial government allocated Rs100 million annually, allowing the hospital to offer extended services into the night. However, in October 2016, management of the hospital was handed over to a non-governmental organization (NGO) under a public-private partnership agreement. The annual budget was subsequently increased to Rs440 million. According to the health department, the hospital will continue to operate under this arrangement until October 2026, after which its future will be reviewed. Since the transition to private management, the hospital has faced repeated delays in salary disbursements, leading to at least ten staff strikes and multiple temporary shutdowns. Between 2004 and 2025, the hospital has failed to conduct any major pediatric surgeries and primarily treats common childhood illnesses. Currently, over 300 staff members work under the NGO, while 65 employees-including the Medical Superintendent-remain under the provincial health department's jurisdiction. Rabia, a parent visiting the facility, told reporters that children with complex medical conditions are routinely referred to the National Institute of Child Health (NICH) or Civil Hospital, as the Children's Hospital lacks the surgical infrastructure to treat complicated pediatric cases.
Express Tribune
7 days ago
- Health
- Express Tribune
Over 400 employees at Sindh Govt Children's Hospital unpaid for 4 months
Listen to article Over 400 employees at the Sindh Government Children's Hospital in Karachi, operated under a public-private partnership, have reportedly gone unpaid for the past four months. Staff members have warned the administration that if their salaries are not disbursed by August, they will launch protest demonstrations. Speaking to The Express Tribune, hospital administrators confirmed the delay in salary payments. They assured that pending dues would be cleared next month, adding that the hospital's budget is currently in process and expected to be released within the coming week. The Sindh Government Children's Hospital was inaugurated in 2004 by former prime minister Benazir Bhutto. Initially managed by the provincial health department, the hospital began as a 50-bed facility built on 16 acres of land. Despite its promising start, the hospital has long struggled with poor infrastructure, limited services, and frequent staff protests. In 2013, a new building was constructed with support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), making it a unique facility among pediatric hospitals in the city. At the time, the provincial government allocated Rs100 million annually, allowing the hospital to offer extended services into the night. Also Read: Punjab records highest death toll in monsoon-related incidents, NDMA confirms However, in October 2016, management of the hospital was handed over to a non-governmental organisation (NGO) under a public-private partnership agreement. The annual budget was subsequently increased to Rs440 million. According to the health department, the hospital will continue to operate under this arrangement until October 2026, after which its future will be reviewed. Since the transition to private management, the hospital has faced repeated delays in salary disbursements, leading to at least ten staff strikes and multiple temporary shutdowns. Between 2004 and 2025, the hospital has failed to conduct any major pediatric surgeries and primarily treats common childhood illnesses. Currently, over 300 staff members work under the NGO, while 65 employees—including the Medical Superintendent—remain under the provincial health department's jurisdiction. Rabia, a parent visiting the facility, told reporters that children with complex medical conditions are routinely referred to the National Institute of Child Health (NICH) or Civil Hospital, as the Children's Hospital lacks the surgical infrastructure to treat complicated pediatric cases.
Express Tribune
03-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
ADB, Sindh launch Rs440m initiative
Listen to article The Asian Development Bank (ADB), in collaboration with the Government of Sindh, has launched a Rs440 million business recovery and empowerment initiative for families impacted by the 2022 floods. According to a statement issued on Wednesday, ADB's Gender Specialist Judha Bukhari led a delegation to Hyderabad on Wednesday and held a strategic meeting with the Hyderabad Chamber of Small Traders & Small Industry (HCSTSI). During the meeting, Bukhari stated that 2.1 million families were affected by the floods and, in the first phase, over 6,000 households will receive financial assistance ranging from Rs100,000 to Rs300,000 to help them establish small businesses suited to their needs. She said the aim is to empower vulnerable communities through sustainable livelihoods and appreciated HCSTSI's support in conducting the upcoming business survey in Hyderabad. HCSTSI Acting President Ahmed Idrees Chohan lauded the initiative as a timely effort to help women and youth achieve financial independence. He highlighted business models such as tailoring, tiffin services, and e-commerce training. Vice President Shan Sehgal emphasised the potential of hospitality and food ventures, citing Bangladesh's success with women-led microenterprises. He called for youth training in marketing and technical skills to foster self-sufficient businesses. The meeting was attended by ADB officials and HCSTSI members, including former president Muhammad Akram Ansari.
Gulf News
04-05-2025
- Gulf News
Indian Railways announces tougher travel rules: New reservation guidelines and penalties
Dubai: Indian Railways has enforced new rules, effective May 1, 2025, that prohibit passengers with waiting list tickets from boarding Sleeper or Air-Conditioned (AC) coaches, according to media reports. The restriction covers all bookings, whether made online via IRCTC or at railway counters. Consequently, only passengers with confirmed tickets will now be allowed to travel in reserved compartments. What's changed? This new rule applies to all tickets, whether booked online through IRCTC or bought at railway counters. Passengers with waiting list tickets are now required to travel in general (unreserved) coaches, which do not require prior reservations. Fines for violations Passengers found occupying Sleeper or AC coaches with waiting list tickets will be treated as unauthorised travellers. As per the new rules: A fine of up to Rs250 will be levied for unauthorised travel in Sleeper class. A fine of up to Rs440 will be imposed in AC coaches. Additional charges may apply from the boarding point to the next station. Strict enforcement by TTEs Traveling Ticket Examiners (TTEs) have been instructed to strictly enforce the new policy. Offenders will be deboarded at the next station and penalized accordingly, the report added. General coaches are the only option Passengers with unconfirmed tickets must travel in General (unreserved) coaches, which do not require prior reservations. This change is aimed at reducing overcrowding in reserved compartments and improving the travel experience for confirmed passengers. Advance booking period cut to 60 days In another change, the Advance Reservation Period (ARP) has been reduced from 120 days to 60 days. Passengers can now book tickets only two months in advance. OTP verification made mandatory For added security, One-Time Password (OTP) verification via mobile number is now required for all online ticket bookings on IRCTC platforms. Why the change? Citing persistent issues with overcrowding and discomfort in reserved coaches, Indian Railways aims to streamline operations and improve passenger experience. 'The main goal of these modifications is to reduce crowding in reserved compartments,' TOI reported. 'Indian Railways hopes to make travel more orderly and enjoyable by limiting passengers on waiting lists to ordinary coaches.'
Express Tribune
19-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Women attack officials over illegal BISP deduction
Angry women protested against the illegal deduction from the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) allocation and attacked the director of BISP and device holders in Badin. The director and staff were forced to flee by climbing over the center's boundary wall to escape the fury of the enraged beneficiaries. According to reports, the protest erupted at the BISP center set up at Badin Technical College during a visit by Taufiq Channa, Director of BISP. As soon as Channa arrived, dozens of women who had gathered to receive their payments began shouting slogans and physically attacking device holders, accusing them of deducting portions of their cash disbursements. Eyewitnesses reported that some device holders were caught and beaten by the women, who forced them to publicly apologize. Staff at the center had to help the director scale the wall to escape, after which the disbursement of funds was suspended. Sources claim that an estimated Rs440 million is illegally deducted from installments meant for over 150,000 women in the district each cycle. Allegations suggest that these funds are being pocketed by a nexus of device operators, BISP officials, local police, and so-called social activists and journalists. Three device operators were reportedly arrested earlier after an Express Newspaper report prompted action from local authorities, but no permanent solution has been implemented, and complaints of deductions persist. Meanwhile, the device holders have offered a justification of their own, claiming they are forced to pay kickbacks to political figures, local influentials, and others - including police and journalists - leaving them with no choice but to deduct amounts from beneficiaries. Following the chaos, all disbursements at the Technical College center were halted.
