Jammu, June 29: While Jammu and Kashmir government has so far failed to create a full-fledged post of Mission Director National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), the Center’s flagship programme is being looked after in J&K by a Deputy Medical Superintendent, who continues to hold the prestigious post in violation of all norms and regulations for the last around four years. The official record accessed by Greater Kashmir reveals how the former Health Minister facilitated his Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to take over the coveted post despite him being ineligible. The national flagship programme was launched by Prime Minister in April 2005 with the basic objective of providing accessible, affordable and accountable health care in rural areas. In Jammu and Kashmir, the State Health Society is headed by Chief Secretary. Sources said in last seven years the state government has not been able to create a full-fledged post of Director NRHM, which has also led to blocking of funds from union government in the recent past. They said that Dr Yashpal Sharma, a faculty member of Medical Education Department, continues to hold the post of In-charge Mission Director for the last around four years. As per the criteria laid down in the programme, an officer of the rank of Special Secretary can only hold the prestigious post. The official record revealed that the state health department in 2008 sent a proposal to the General Administration Department for creation of the post of Mission Director NRHM. However, the proposal got stuck when the Finance Department raised certain queries and asked the health department to identify the eligible official for the appointment. “As the proposal was returned, the health department issued an order asking Dr Yashpal Sharma, who was OSD to the then Health Minister Sham Lal Sharma, to ‘look after the charge of Mission Director NRHM’ relieving Dr Kulbhushan Pandotra, who retired after reaching the age of superannuation”, sources said. Dr Sharma was in the grade of Deputy Medical Superintendent and was completing his probation period, the record revealed, adding that his appointment was justified on the ground that he was a “good administrator having passed his Masters in Hospital Management from AIIMS and having organised at least two conferences at Jammu and Leh.” On the same day of his appointment, a corrigendum was issued by the health department, designating Dr Sharma as In-charge Mission Director with all drawing and disbursing powers. Dr Sharma belongs to Medical Education Department and is not thus eligible to be placed on the superior post in Health Department. “Prior to his appointment as Mission Director NRHM, a proposal to place him as Project Director AIDS Control Society was rejected by the Chief Secretary, citing the same reasons”, sources claimed. “The health department, while recommending his name to the Chief Minister deliberately did not mention that Dr Sharma was holding a substantive appointment only as Deputy Medical Superintendent”, sources said, adding that the file was not also routed through the Chief Secretary, who heads the State Health Society. “More astonishing is that Dr Sharma was appointed against the post despite the reservations shown by the Chief Minister”, reliable sources revealed adding, “As per approval of Chief Minister at para 81 he had only been asked to look after the work of NRHM and accordingly Commissioner/Secretary had issued order for Dr Yashpal to look after the work of NRHM but by way of the addendum he was appointed as In-charge Mission Director in violation of Chief Minister’s approval.” If an official within the department is to be believed, sensing the trouble the secretary health and medical education department in the year 2012 had in fact issued a formal order relieving Dr Sharma from the post and placing him as Deputy Medical Superintendent SMGS Hospital Jammu. “However, the order was never implemented for the reasons best known to the higher authorities,” sources said.
Posted on: Sun, 30 Jun 2013 03:33:14 +0000
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