Avinash Azad
Finally justice is done and after almost two years and nine months, Dr Ashutosh Gupta, got what he deserved long back, but suppressing his seniority, the then Principal Secretary to Health and Medical Education (H&ME) Department Atal Dullo deliberately posted a junior and ‘tainted’ doctor as Principal, Government Medical College and Hospital (GMC&H) Jammu, despite the fact is that she has been recently booked by Crime Branch (CB) for using duel (forgery) date of birth (DoB).
“In the interest of administration and patient care, Prof. (Dr.) Shashi Sudan Sharma, Principal, Government Medical College, Jammu, is, hereby, transferred and posted as Secretary (Technical) in the Health & Medical Education Department, with immediate effect. Prof. (Dr.) Ashutosh Gupta, Head Department of Radio Therapy in Government Medical College, Jammu shall hold the charge of the post of Principal, Government Medical College, Jammu, in addition to his own duties, for a period of one year or till further orders, whichever is earlier”, Government Order No. 583-3K (HME) of 2023 Dated 25-07-2023, read.
Long back in 2020, the issue of alleged bypassing of senior faculty while giving charge of post of GMC&H, had reached in Lt Governor’s office and same had been forwarded to Health and Medical Education (HME) Department for rectification, but no further action has been taken till yesterday.
“Rectification of injustice done to Dr. Ashutosh Gupta, (Professor and HoD Radiation Oncology, GMC Jammu) by ignoring his seniority while handing charge of Principal GMC Jammu”, communication no. JKLGGC/J/07/2017/2316 dated 23/11/2020 read. “The undersigned is directed to forward herewith the copy of Grievance alongwith its enclosures submitted by Dr. Ashutosh Gupta, Professor and Head, Radiation Oncology, Government Medical College, Jammu to Financial Commissioner Health and Medical Education department for favour of further necessary action”, copy of letter issued by the Under Secretary to Lt. Governor’s Grievance Cell. Sources said that vigilance clearance in favour of Dr Ashutosh stands issued by the GAD on 23rd October 2020. “To refer Financial Commissioner, Health & Medical Education Department to his Om No.ME-GAZ-68/2014-PF dated 10/03/2020, regarding the subject cited above and to say that ACB vide their letter no. ACB/19-63/NOC-2020-HME-5843 dated 12/04/2020, has been reported that as per name, designation and posting details provided there is no preliminary enquiry/FIR pending against Dr Ashutosh Gupta in their record”, GAD (Vig)07-NOC/2020-HME-II, dated 23/10/2020 read.
Meanwhile, sources in GMC told said that there was huge gap of seniority of incharge Principal GMCH and aggrieved Dr Ashutosh to knocked the door of LG’s Grievance Cell. “Dr Ashutosh is senior most faculty of GMC, and Dr Shashi Sudan incumbent caretaker Principal is four and half year’s junior to former”, they said, adding that the HME Department should rectify its mistake even without intervention of LG’s office. “Such actions department forced the medical fraternity to go for litigation, when you have crystal clear seniority list in place, why you are making lame excuse”, said a faculty member of GMC waiting his confirmation as associate professor. “We are going thorough metal stress, as the top bosses of the department kept our files under the carpet without any reason, all the faculties performed their best during COVID pandemic without caring their lives, we deserve appreciation not punishment”, he added.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Dr. Shashi Sudan, Head, Department of Microbiology, Government Medical College, Jammu and Principal, GMC&H Jammu, has also been looking after charge of post of Principal, Government Ayurvedic Medical College cum Hospital, Akhnoor, Jammu since 20th November 2020, vide govt order no 866 JK (HME) of 2020. Thanks to CB for registering FIR against Dr Shashi Sudhan, who used duel DoB, caught, when she was at the age of retirement and Dr Ashutosh got justice, almost two years and nine after the intervention of Raj Bhawan, it clearly shows that corruption and nepotism is ruling roots in J&K, where deserving officers are being deprived of their rights over nepotism and favouritism.
