Raiganj, Nov. 6: The North Dinajpur district administration has begun an investigation into how the block medical officer of Hemtabad could allow a musical soiree to take place next to the hospital he is in charge of, brazenly flouting the no-noise norms.
Sabyasachi Bhowmik gave the go-ahead to a local club, Surjya Sen Smriti Chakra, to organise a song-and-dance show on Tuesday evening at a designated silence zone 10 metres from the block hospital. For over four hours that evening, patients at the hospital had a torrid time trying to shut out the music blaring from the loudspeakers.
They learnt later that Bhowmik, the doctor who is supposed to ensure that patients do not go through any discomfiture, was one of the performers, merrily belting out Papa Kehte Hain. It wasn’t the noise alone. The huge crowd that had spilled over to the road prevented a number of patients from making their way to the emergency wing of the hospital.
Chief medical officer of health Arijit Chakraborty has already begun a probe and sought an explanation from Bhowmick, who has not yet replied.
Raiganj subdivisional officer Khagendra Narayan Dew, who started an investigation today, said: “The site where the stage was set up belongs to the block land revenue office. We have asked the block development officer, block medical officer and the local police station to explain how they could grant permission to a musical show so close to the hospital.”
Dew said Hemtabad BDO Humayun Biswas has given a verbal reply that the organisers had “promised” they would abide by the sound limit but they did not keep their word.
“I have instructed the BDO to consult the district administration the next time he decides to grant permission for such shows. We will take action after getting the replies from the BDO and the block medical officer,” he said.
Bhowmik, however, appeared unrepentant and said an “unnecessary hue and cry” was being made over the issue.
“I have been in charge of the hospital for the past three years. Every year, two Durga puja pandals are erected right next to the hospital and the music goes on till well past midnight. But no one has ever taken the hospital’s permission to conduct the pujas. So when the organisers of the club asked for permission for the show, I saw no reason why the go-ahead could not be given,” he said.
Bhowmik sought to pass the buck to BDO Biswas. “After getting the no-objection from me, the organisers went to the BDO for final permission. The BDO could have stopped the show if it went against government rules. I was present throughout the programme and even sang a song. Never did I feel that the sound was crossing the decibel level. I will mention this in my explanation to the health department and the district administration,” he told The Telegraph.
His colleagues, however, differed. Hospital doctor Shyamendra Narayan Das said: “We had told the BMOH not to allow the show. But he did not listen. Residents of the quarters had a tough time with the loud music going on till late into the night. Imagine the plight of the patients.”
