Medical college head in spot over pvt practice

PK Jaiswar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 6

The Vigilance Bureau today nabbed Dr BS Bal, principal of Government Medical College, for allegedly indulging in private practice at his home in Amritsar.

According to information, a vigilance team raided his residential complex at around 8.30 am. Navjot Singh, DSP (Vigilance), said it had received an anonymous complaint that Dr Bal was indulging in private practice. A trap was laid and he was caught. At the time, around 8-10 patients were at his residential clinic, he added. The vigilance took prescriptions slips from all patients as evidence.

The DSP said a report would be sent to the Secretary, Medical Education, for necessary departmental action against him. However, no case had been registered by the vigilance against him, he added.

A teacher said as per a Supreme Court order, the vigilance could not arrest a government doctor indulging in private practice. It can only write to the government and department concerned for action. Dr Bal termed the incident as politically motivated to remove him. Saying all patients were planted by the vigilance, he said he was leaving for the college when some people insisted that he check the patients and forcibly handed over money as fees. He said he had informed the higher authorities in this connection.