Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj recommends suspension of Health Secretary over irregularity in purchase of medicines
New Delhi [India], December 29 – Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj has called for the immediate suspension of Delhi’s Health Secretary SB Deepak Kumar by Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena and the Central Government. This comes in light of alleged irregularities in the purchase of medicines supplied to Delhi government hospitals. The suspension is aimed at ensuring a fair inquiry into the matter.
Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj has also demanded strict action against the former DGHS (Director General of Health Services) Dr Nutan Mundeja regarding this issue.
The Health Minister explained that he held a meeting with the Health Secretary, DGHS, and other health department officials on March 21, after assuming ministerial responsibilities on March 9. During the meeting, he instructed the Health Secretary to conduct an audit of all medicines, equipment, and consumables purchased for Delhi government hospitals. The orders and decisions taken during the meeting were published on April 3, with the aim of promoting transparency.
However, the Health Secretary allegedly ignored these orders and failed to initiate any audit related to the procurement of medicines. In July, the Health Minister sent a reminder to the Health Secretary, questioning the lack of implementation of the orders and the absence of any audit. Despite the reminder, the Health Secretary took no action, according to the Minister.
Saurabh Bharadwaj expressed his disappointment with the Health Secretary’s refusal to conduct an audit and his alleged desire to prevent any irregularities in the procurement from coming to light. The Minister further questioned whether an impartial investigation could be conducted, given that the Health Secretary himself would be responsible for conducting the audit.
The Minister also raised concerns about the Central government and the LG’s responsiveness, stating that it seemed evident that they were working to protect the officials involved in the alleged wrongdoing. He demanded that the Health Secretary fulfill his duties appropriately, including regularly inspecting departmental activities and conducting audits of medicine procurement. The Health Minister expressed his expectation that the LG should have suspended the Health Secretary before his recommendation.
In October, the Minister lodged a written complaint to the LG, through Delhi’s CM Arvind Kejriwal, regarding the Health Secretary and the former DGHS. He accused these officers of deliberately obstructing essential policies of the Delhi Government and withholding funds for various schemes.
Despite the written complaint and subsequent lack of action by the LG, the Minister expressed surprise that these officers had not been suspended yet. He wondered if his recommendation to take action against these officials required another letter to the BJP-led Central Government.
In conclusion, the Delhi Health Minister has recommended the suspension of Health Secretary SB Deepak Kumar and called for strict action against him. The Minister has also expressed his concerns about the impartiality of any investigation conducted by the Health Secretary himself. He has questioned the responsiveness of the Central government and the LG, stating that it appears they are protecting officials implicated in the alleged irregularities. The Minister hopes that his recommendation will be taken seriously and appropriate action will be taken.
