Navin stops transfer industry in Health & Medical Edu Deptt
Taking strong note of the unbridled transfer industry in the Health & Medical Education Department, the new Principal Secretary to Government Navin Choudhary has banned all transfers and appointments of the gazetted officers without the approval of the administrative department.
Hundreds of doctors and other staff, mostly prematurely, have been transferred by Heads of Departments in H&ME without the knowledge and approval of the administrative department in the last two years, both in Kashmir and Jammu.
“In the weekly review meeting of the Health and Medical Education Department taken by the Principal Secretary to the Government, Health & Medical Education Department on 17th of May, 2022, in Civil Secretariat Jammu, it was observed that the Heads of the Departments have been effectuating transfers of Gazetted officers at their own level without approval of the Administrative Department, which is contrary to the laid down policy on the subject”, reads Circular No: 02-JK(HME) of 2022 Dated 19-05-2022.
“It was also observed that the Administrative Department being the cadre controlling authority of all the Gazetted Officers of the Department, as such their transfers and postings fall in the exclusive domain of the Administrative Department. This issue was therefore viewed seriously”, added the circular. “Henceforth, no Head of the Department shall affect the transfers and postings of Gazetted Officers at his own level and such transfers shall be made at the level of the Administrative Department”.
The circular made it clear that in case of very exigent transfers, the HODs would seek prior approval of the Administrative Department.
A large number of complaints have poured in since 2021 about the premature transfers of selective medical officers and consultants even as many of the officers have not been shifted for 8-10 years. Interestingly, quite a number of the transfer orders were modified drastically within a week of issuance, giving way to allegations of corruption and favoritism.
Vide another circular, No 04-JK (HME) of 2022 dated 19-05-2022, Navin Choudhary has also banned all transfers and appointments being made on recommendations of the politicians of different political parties.
“..it has been observed that some Medical Officers and para medical staff get recommendations from different political dignitaries for their transfers and postings. This has been viewed very seriously as it amounts to breach of service conduct rules. Besides, it causes undue interference in the functioning of the Department and is also in violation of the circular instructions issued by the General Administration Department vide Circular No: 05-GAD of 2017 dated 02.02.2017”, reads the pertinent circular.
“It is therefore enjoined upon all the Heads of the Departments falling under the Administrative control of Health and Medical Education Department that they shall impress upon all the officers/officials working under their control, not to bring any recommendations from the political or any other dignitaries for their transfers and postings. It also needs to be impressed upon them that such recommendations would attract disciplinary action”, reads the circular.
Separately under Government Order No: 324-JK (HME) of 2022 dated 19-05-2022, Principal Secretary H&ME has constituted a 7-member committee for rationalization/streamlining of duty roster/working hours of medical and paramedical staff of the Union Territory’s health institutions.
While Director General Family Welfare has been appointed Chairman, Project Director AIDS Control Society, MD J&K Medical Supplies Corporation, Director Health Services Kashmir, Deputy Secretary SS, H&ME and Deputy Director HQS DHS Jammu have been appointed as the committee’s members. Any other officer can be co-opted by the committee from the Medical Colleges.
Vide Government Order No: 325-JK (HME) of 2022, a 5-member committee, with Principal Government Medical College Srinagar, has been constituted to study the referral system of the patients from Primary Health institutions to the Medical Colleges while taking into account the data of the previous three months.
The committee shall also examine the issue of the very high rate of caesarean section cases during deliveries at the government hospitals while taking into account the data of the previous six months. The committee would also suggest necessary measures in order to reduce the rate of caesarean sections.
