Wearing black badges, Haryana doctors protest PNDT nodal officer's suspension
On the suspension of Dr Prabhu Dayal, nodal officer for the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act in Hisar, doctors across the state today wore black badges to express their displeasure.
In Hisar, doctors under the banner of Haryana Civil Medical Services Association (HCMSA) observed a pen down strike from 10 am to 12 noon for out-patient department (OPD) services. A meeting of the state association of HCMSA was held on April 11 to discuss the suspension of Dr Dayal.
“All the members expressed resentment and were aggrieved over the sudden and unfortunate suspension of Dr Prabhu Dayal. He had been rendering his duties honestly, sincerely, and with full dedication. He has been awarded several times by the government for his excellent work. Despite all this, he was suspended on April 9 at midnight without any preliminary inquiry, and the reason for his suspension is still not known,” said Dr Rajesh Khyalia, President, HCMSA.
The HCMSA has written a letter to Additional Chief Secretary for Health Sudhir Rajpal, with a copy to the Health Minister and the Chief Minister against the arbitrary suspension of Dr Dayal.
His suspension has caused mental trauma and defamation for him individually and for the whole HCMS cadre as well, read the letter. It added, "...the manner and circumstances under which Dr Prabhu Dayal was suspended without preliminary inquiry or explanation is not only demoralising for the medical fraternity but also sets a concerning precedent.”
The letter said, “...such a punitive action has given a wrong message in the whole cadre and it will be very difficult to carry out the duties of PC-PNDT Act under such circumstances and will adversely affect the programme."
Dr Dayal was honoured with an appreciation certificate for his work under the PC-PNDT Act in Hisar in 2022 and in Jind in 2020. In 2021, he was awarded for being a Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao warrior by Women and Child Development Department Secretary Rakesh Gupta. In November 2022, President Droupadi Murmu also felicitated him at Haryana Raj Bhawan for his services.
Following a sting operation by a TV channel, the Haryana Government had, on April 9, issued a denial but later withdrew the press statement. On April 10, the Health Department, while listing its efforts in taking action under the PC-PNDT Act in a press statement, mentioned that the Hisar nodal officer had been suspended. But there too, no reason was cited.
