Doda, September 7 — A political and administrative dispute over the relocation of the Ayushman Arogya Mandir/Health and Wellness Centre (AAM/HWC) at Kencha village in Thathri block has intensified, with MLA Mehraj Malik accusing the district administration of favouring vested interests, while officials allege illegal interference and obstruction in the functioning of the centre.
In a recent video address on social media, MLA Malik, who is also the State President of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), claimed that he personally visited Deputy Commissioner (DC) Harvinder Singh’s office and submitted a public resolution signed by residents demanding that the health centre be shifted to a safer and more suitable building. The resolution, dated June 13, 2025, accuses unnamed officials of supporting “a mafia” and attempting to shift the centre into the residence of an associate. It warns that if the relocation is not carried out within two days, “the public will shift themselves to the desired place.”
Mr. Malik also alleged that health officials had refused to pay rent to the individual who constructed the building where the centre now operates. According to him, the resident took a ₹2-lakh loan to build the structure and lease it to the department, but rent has not been disbursed for over four years. Officials, he said, cited the building’s construction on state land as a reason to withhold payments, amounting to “severe injustice.”
He further alleged that the administration’s actions ignored the voice of the public, claiming that six deputations had been submitted urging relocation. He called for an inquiry into why officials failed to implement public resolutions and questioned the legitimacy of the administrative process.
The district administration, however, has presented a sharply different narrative. In an official statement shared with The Chenab Times, health officials alleged that the centre had been operating from a rented building that partially collapsed earlier this year. Following safety concerns, committees recommended relocating the centre to a building owned by Abdul Rashid after due process. They claimed that the MLA opposed this decision, threatened officials, and obstructed efforts to shift medical equipment and life-saving drugs to the safer premises.
The statement further alleged that on September 5, 2025, Mr. Malik and a group of individuals forcibly removed equipment, records, and medicines from the centre, thereby disrupting emergency services and affecting public health. Police registered FIR No. 90/2025 under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, naming the MLA and others for trespassing, theft, and obstruction of government duty.
The administration dismissed Mr. Malik’s claims of public demand, arguing that relocation decisions were based on safety, regulatory compliance, and government procedures. It also cited concerns over unauthorized use of state land as the reason rent payments were withheld.
The dispute has sparked wider debate in the region over governance, political accountability, and respect for democratic mandates. While Mr. Malik’s supporters hail his advocacy for public interest, critics have questioned his confrontational approach and use of inflammatory language against officials. Observers point out that the controversy underscores systemic challenges in rural health administration and the complexities of balancing public demands with regulatory frameworks.
The matter continues to unfold as authorities investigate the allegations and calls mount for transparent inquiry from both sides.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
