Family members of a veteran journalist struggling to get justice even after his death

 Jammu, October 18 – Senior Journalist Rajinder Singh Charkha had the privilege of covering important news events all through his life and even when he was bed ridden due to prolonged illness he never stopped writing.

According to a leading News Agency of J&K, Kashmir Independent Press (KIP) that the only difference was that instead of writing news reports RS Charaka turned to writing passionate appeals and applications to senior ministers and bureaucrats  urging them for a kind favour  to help him in his hour of need. Through his writing he repeatedly appealed them to look in to the application of his wife seeking transfer from her posting in Poonch to Jammu so that she can accompany him to hospital where he was undergoing medical treatment.

Ironically, no one in the state government paid a heed to his request and when he breathed his last his wish remained unfulfilled, KIP said in a news buliten.

Before breathing last last month on September 25, 2010 RS Charkha  battled for his life for over five years.

He was suffering from chronic liver cirrohis for past several years and his family members  ran from pillar to post to arrange  better medical care for him.

Meanwhile, his wife Surjeet Kaur, posted in Govt Primary Girls School,Nama Hundian in Mendhar tehsil of Poonch  faced nurmerous hardships.During the difficult times she could not attend to her duties on regular basis owing to poor health condition of the veteran journalist.

On one such occasion when she was found absent from her duty during the surprise visit of sub divisional manager,Mendhar on 22-10-2009 she was placed under suspension and Zonal education officer Mendhar was directed to charge sheet the absentee and furnish a detailed report  for necessary action.

After ascertaining the facts of the case the ZEO recommended  for reinstatement and  also recommended that the period of suspension was to be treated as on duty. 

Wife of the veteran journalist even after the death of her husband is still facing the same hardship and is shuttling between Jammu and Poonch to attend to her duties.

Before RS Charkha died he had written separate letters to deputy chief minister and minister for education pleading her  transfer case on humanitarian grounds. Now it remains to be seen whether those enjoying powers will live up to the expectation of the family members of the senior journalist and do the needful or will wait for the case file to arrive at their table where they will extract their share before disposing the file. (KIP)