A decorated building might not tell the real condition of those residing there.

Take the case of Forbesganj sub-divisional government hospital in Araria district. Located around 200km east of Patna, this building wears a happy look as it has been decorated with lights as part of Bihar Divas celebrations.

Doctors and paramedics working here, however, are not happy. For, they have not been paid their salaries for the past six months.

A senior doctor of the hospital, on condition of anonymity, said: "Is this not a joke? The hospital has been bathed in lights but the doctors and other employees of this hospital are going without salary for six months. If the health department can spend money on these not-so-important things, it can give us payment also. We are happy that Bihar Divas is being celebrated but it is totally unjustified that the health department has forgotten about our salary amid the celebrations. The money being spent for Bihar Divas celebrations could have been used in clearing our salaries."

The doctor added: "Our hospital boasts of ISO-9002 certification. In the last year, around 12,000 normal deliveries and Caesarean sections have been done at the hospital. Besides, we have conducted around 2,400 family planning operations in the same period. One more month is left in the completion of the financial year. By the end of this financial year, we are hopeful that we would complete around 2,500 family planning operations. Instead of rewarding us for these achievements, the health department is not providing allotment for our salaries."

The health department officials had nothing to offer when asked about the reason for this lapse. "There is no specific reason as such for non-payment of salaries of the doctors and paramedics posted at Forbesganj. We would soon address the problem and the pending salaries of these employees would be cleared by month end," health department deputy secretary Anil Kumar told The Telegraph on Monday.

He, however, had nothing to offer when asked to specify that what could have led to this technical glitch. "I would have to check records," he said.

The nonchalant approach of the department has left the doctors and paramedics high and dry. "Is this not a joke? If the health department can spend money on decoration what is preventing it to pay our salaries? We have nothing against Bihar Divas celebrations but the same alacrity should be shown in case of payment of employees salary as well," a senior doctor of this sub-divisional hospital said.

Araria civil surgeon B.K. Thakur admitted that the doctors and other employees of sub-divisional hospital, Forbesganj, had not received their salary since last six months because the health department had failed to provide allotment for the salary.