Incumbent principal tenders VRS in view of political, administrative and extra-institutional pressures to take pending decisions of predecessor, which can have long term repercussions on the institution.
K Koushal & Anmol Ohri
All is not well in the Department of Health and Medical Education, wherein ‘scam-tainted’ former principal of Government Medical College and Hospital (GMC&H) Jammu, Dr Sunanda Raina has been appointed as faculty at GMC Rajouri, despite allegations of corruption against her, whereas, the incumbent principal of GMC&H has tendered Voluntary Retirement from the Services (VRS), claiming that he has been put under huge undue pressure to take some pending decision of his predecessor, which can have long term repercussions on the institution.
Making mockery of the ‘accountable and transparent’ administration of Lieutenant Governor, Department of Health and Medical Education has appointed former principal of Government Medical College and Hospital, Dr Sunanda Raina as professor in the discipline of Anatomy in Government Medical College, Rajouri, despite allegations of corruption against her.
“As per order no. 629-JK(HME) of 2020 dated 27-08-2020, as recommended by the selection Committee, sanction is hereby accorded to the engagement of Dr. Sunanda Raina as Professor in the discipline of Anatomy in Government Medical College, Rajouri, on academic arrangement basis, in terms of SRO-24 of 2019 dated 10-01-2019, for a period of three years or till the post is filled up on regular basis or till she attains the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier,” reads the order, adding “The Principal Government Medical College, Rajouri is requested to draw the monthly consolidated salary of Dr Sunanda Raina only after the verification of her character and antecedents from the Criminal Investigation Department.
According to an official of the health department, the pension case of Dr Sunanda Raina has not yet settled because of some allegations of corruption against her.
“There is an inquiry pending against Dr Sunanda in the crime branch, due to which her pension case has not been settled yet. However, ignoring the pending inquiry, she was appointed as Professor in the discipline of Anatomy in Government Medical College, Rajouri,” said an official, wishing anonymity, adding that the order of her appointment clearly says that her antecedents shall be investigated, despite the fact that the matter is under investigation.
He informed that a complaint was addressed to Senior Superintendent of Police, Vigilance Jammu and also Senior Superintendent of Police Crime Jammu in this regard and also the copy was addressed to Advisor to the Governor.
While sharing detail of the complaint, the official said that as per the complaint made against Dr Sunanda Raina, Director Finance had with reference to Government Order No 569-HME of 2018 dated 12.10.2018 and letter No. VO-Med-G-45/18-13664-A, dated 07.09.2018 from AIG (Policy) Director of Vigilance J&K, Srinagar, had asked Dr Raina to provide the requisite records in light of the content of the complaint within a week’s time to proceed further in the matter.
“The GMC&H, under Principal, Dr Sunanda Raina has become a hub of irregularities,” said an official, quoting the complaint, adding that she had been accused of indulging in malpractice in allotment of civil works with a certain percentage of her shares.
The official further claimed that the complaint also raised questions about transparency in purchases in the hospital. Requirements received from different hospitals (Associated Hospitals) have not been projected to the Medical Supply Corporation.
“In the capacity of Principal, Dr Raina purchased material from the open market at a rate higher than the market rate,” said an official, adding that there were also allegations against her that she demanded money from the employees on the fixation of the 7th Pay Commission.
The official revealed that the complainant had asked investigative agencies to check her husband’s account minutely, which will prove that money collected by her is used to fulfill her husband’s deficit in business.
“In the capacity of chairperson allotment committee, she allotted official quarters to those employees, who were either associated with her in mischief or had offered her freebies,” alleged the complaint, adding that she allotted quarters near Dental Hospital to an Engineer of Municipal Committee in lieu of huge money.
The official, quoting from the complaint alleged that Dr Raina was involved in encouraging nepotism and corruption in promotions as well.
“She ensured promotions of the mediocre and incompetent persons by taking huge money from them. A Sr. X-Ray Technician was given excellent remarks and was promoted to the next higher post by receiving huge money through one of the doctors, close to Dr Raina,” alleged official, adding that the complainant has asked investigative agencies to go through the service record of Sr. X- Ray Technician.
Talking to The Typewriter Director Finance Health and Medical Education Mohammad Rafiq said that inquiry against the former Principal is almost 70 percent done and 30 percent is delayed due to corona pandemic, otherwise it would have been completed.
“There were certain allegations against the former principal, so her pension was not settled. However, keeping in view the humanitarian grounds and relevant provisions under law, she is getting a provisional pension,” said Rafiq.
When contacted Dr Sunanda Raina, former Principal GMC&H Jammu said, “There is nothing like inquiry against me, I am getting my pension, but yes, there are certain formalities pending, which are required after retirement and they are still pending due to prevailing pandemic.”
Meanwhile, incumbent Principal Medical College Jammu, Dr Nasib Chand Digra has offered to get Voluntary Retirement from the Service, claiming that in the last four months, he had been put under huge undue pressure to take some pending decisions of his predecessor, which can have long term repercussions on the chair of Principal Medical College and the Institution. “On request of buying time to get the things straight in the larger interest of the institution, I was demeaned verbally also,” writes the incumbent principal in a letter to Lieutenant Governor.
The letter further reads, “I am compelled to put it on record that there are few extra-institutional officials, one or two HoDs and few faculty members, who are bypassing the departmental hierarchy and approaching the administrative department in technical, professional and administrative matters.”
When contacted Financial Commissioner Health and Medical Education Department, Atal Dulloo, he was not available for comments.
