Dr Raj Bahadur's resignation not discussed during Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann-Jouramajra meet

Chandigarh, August 4

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today met Health Minister Chetan Singh Jouramajra for the first time since the controversy over embarrassing Dr Raj Bahadur, Vice Chancellor, Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, broke out.

Official sources have told The Tribune that the issue concerning the fracas between the minister and the eminent doctor was not discussed in today’s meeting. The minister was called only to participate in the departmental meeting to check the preparedness of the health authorities for dealing with Covid and precautionary measures to be taken to check the outbreak of malaria and dengue.

Sources say that though the minister was present at the meeting, his participation was limited as officers of the department briefed the CM.

Jouramajra had reportedly been trying to meet the CM for the past few days, but he was not granted time. On Monday, the Health Minister had waited to meet the CM at Punjab Bhawan, where Mann was holding a meeting with farmer leaders, but they could not meet as the meeting with farmers ended late in the night.

The CM directed the department to issue an advisory for people to take precautions regarding prevention of diseases.

CM requests VC to continue

Official sources in the Chief Minister’s Office said that so far, there is status quo on the resignation of Dr Raj Bahadur. He has not withdrawn his resignation though the CM has requested him to continue as VC. The CM will probably meet the doctor once he withdraws his resignation.