Suhail Bhat
SRINAGAR, Dec 24: Disagreement between Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) and the Wildlife Department has led to non-utilization of funds meant to cover the cost of treatment of victims of man-animal conflict in Kashmir.
According to Wildlife Department officials, around Rs 1.50 crores were provided to the SKIMS about three years ago under a Central scheme for the treatment of seriously injured in man-animal conflicts and are unable to pay for their treatment.
However, according to officials, funds that would have supported the care of numerous victims from poor backgrounds were wasted as a result of the disagreement.
“Both want to decide who the qualified recipients are and spend the money as they see fit. Whatever problems the department faces, it must prioritize the needs of the victims who are trying to pay for treatment because of the indifference of the authorities,” an official said.
He said that despite several communications between the stakeholders regarding the problem, nothing has happened to date.
The Government offers ex-gratia relief of up to Rs 3 lakh in the event of death or permanent disability of the victim. Depending on the type and severity of the injury, the compensation can range from Rs 5,000 to Rs 300,000 in other situations. However, the amount is insufficient for patients with serious malformations because the costs of treatment are triple that amount.
The Regional Wildlife Warden Kashmir, Rashid Naqash, told Excelsior that the failure of the SKIMS to utilize the money has hampered future funding for the victims under the scheme. “A utility certificate is required for additional funds, but those funds have not yet been used. We would have received more money if they had used the money. Money was delivered in 2019 for patients who required long-term care, but it is still with the institution,” he said.
He added that they have no issues with the technicalities of the SKIMS but that the delay is affecting the treatment of poor victims.
Officials said the funds were given to pay the victims’ treatment costs because they discontinued their care because they could not afford it. “Many victims have sustained wounds that result in long-term deformities and necessitate several surgeries. The victims are frequently forced to discontinue treatment midway and live with the abnormality for the rest of their lives due to high treatment costs,” an official said, adding that the deformities (mostly facial) limited their social acceptance, which harmed their mental health.
Director SKIMS, Dr Parvez Koul, told Excelsior that they have requested that the department wait until the victim has been evaluated by competent specialists before deciding how much money would be granted in their favor. “We would be delighted if they disbursed the funds to the beneficiaries, but we cannot accept their handing us a list of beneficiaries without any assessment by the qualified specialists,” he said, adding that even if the money is with the institution, they merely want it to go to the correct person.
Data from the Wildlife department shows that between 2006 and March 2022, man-animal conflict resulted in 234 fatalities and 2918 injuries.
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