The campus of Doon hospital here is set to become more crowded, chaotic and problematic for the patients with State Government deciding to start Indira Amma canteen inside the hospital. Preparations are on war footing to start the canteen which provides subsidised meals inside the biggest hospital of the State from November 19.
Inspired by the success of the canteen set up at Clock tower the State Government decided to set up new canteens at Doon hospital and Transport Nagar. However the decision to set up the canteen is being opposed by the staff of the hospital and their opposition appears justified.
The authorities have decided to open canteen in a portion of parking facility Observers point out that the canteen would be detrimental for the patients as large number of people from outside would visit the place to have their meal.
Doon hospital is located in the vicinity of court premises, collectorate and main market of the city due to which it is expected that the canteen would be thronged by the people. Construction work on the 1200 sq feet canteen is in full swing. With the canteen eating up the parking space meant for staff members those visiting the hospital are already facing the problem to park their vehicles. Interestingly with shrinking of parking space a notice board indicating that the space is reserved for only permanent staff of the hospital has sprung up.
"The hospital has a total staff of about 350 employees and it is visited by thousands of patients and their relatives daily. There is already a space constraint and the Indira Amma canteen would further impose pressure on already creaking infrastructure of the hospital,'' said a staff member.
One of senior doctor posted in the hospital said that it appears that the Chief Minister was given a wrong advice by someone to start the canteen in the hospital. "A hospital should have peace so that the patients are not disturbed. The canteen would add noise and other pollution which is not good for the patients. I don't understand rationale behind the idea, the patients are served food by the hospital and court premises located nearby would be a best place for a canteen," he opined. The medical experts are also of the opinion that an eatery should be avoided in a place like hospital as it could health related problems for both the patients and those coming to have a bite.
It is learnt that the hospital staff and administration opposed the idea to set up the canteen and suggested that the canteen should be set up in the neighbouring campus of Municipal Corporation which has plenty of space.
However, it appears that the Government dithered on the proposal as the MCD is being occupied by BJP and Harish Rawat apparently do not want to share the credit of setting up the canteen with the chief opposition party.
Taking a leaf out of hugely popular Amma Canteens in Tamil Nadu the Uttarakhand government set up an Indira Amma Canteen at MDDA tower located near Clock tower on August 15.
The aim of the canteen is to provide cheap but high quality meals to the people. One needs to pay only Rs 20 for sumptuous meal consisting of four chapattis, rice, Dal, vegetable, chutney, salad and pickle. The canteen is being run by 'Raj lakshmi' self help group and is visited by more than a thousand people daily.