Health dept suspends clerk for taking bribes

The state health department suspended Chandravadan Hagavne, a clerk who allegedly demanded bribe from doctors who were seeking appointments as medical officers. HT reports.

The state health department suspended Chandravadan Hagavne, a clerk who allegedly demanded bribe from doctors who were seeking appointments as medical officers.

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Independent member of legislative assembly from Achalpur, Bachchu Kadu, had slapped Hagavne after an argument between the two on Friday after his alleged demand.

“I gave orders for his suspension on Friday evening and this will continue till the matter is investigated. I have appointed a panel headed by a deputy health secretary who will present a report on the incident, the people involved and the assault as well,” said health minister Suresh Shetty from Solapur.

Kadu told the media on Friday that the clerk was asking to shell out Rs 60,000 for each appointment and that he had collected Rs 15 lakh for the appointment of 200 doctors. According to government health officials, Hagavane was not directly involved in the doctors’ selection process.

“In fact we suspect that if Hagavane was indeed collecting a bribe, it was on behalf of other officers involved. There is a nexus that will be tracked in the report,” the officer said.

And as far as Kadu is concerned, the Marine Drive police station registered a police case against him.

But the incident of an MLA assaulting an employee has gained huge momentum at Mantralaya with employees brandishing black ribbons showing their protest to the incident.

“All decisions will be taken on Monday. We will involve the police if necessary,” Shetty added.