Following health minister Anil Vij’s objection to reinstatement of suspended Panchkula civil surgeon Dr Jasjeet Kaur, Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar has reiterated his order to bring her back.
A fortnight ago, Khattar had ordered that Dr Kaur, a Haryana Civil Medical Services (HCMS) officer, be reinstated pending an inquiry and sent the file to Vij for issuing the orders.
However, sources said, the health minister had returned the file to the CM with objections. Vij is learnt to have written that if Dr Kaur is reinstated, it will be difficult for him to enforce discipline in the department.
In response, the CM seems to have put his foot down by reiterating his orders.
Dr Kaur was placed under suspension on July 6 on the order of the health minister, even though as per the Rules of Business of the state government, only the CM is the competent authority to place a Class-1 officer under suspension and also revoke such orders.
While an ex post facto (done after an action has been taken) approval was accorded on file by the CM, questions were raised about the tearing hurry shown by the health minister in ordering Dr Kaur’s suspension without sending the file to the competent authority.
{{/usCountry}}While an ex post facto (done after an action has been taken) approval was accorded on file by the CM, questions were raised about the tearing hurry shown by the health minister in ordering Dr Kaur’s suspension without sending the file to the competent authority.
{{/usCountry}}Haryana speaker and Panchkula MLA Gian Chand Gupta had confirmed the suspension was a fallout of personal reasons, as the civil surgeon had apparently “not followed” some directions given by the health minister.
Two days later, Dr Kaur had written a letter to the additional chief secretary, health, requesting reinstatement.
Despite repeated attempts, Vij did not revert for a comment.