Suspended Barnala doctors reinstated

Barnala, December 27

After overruling an inquiry by the Barnala Civil Surgeon (CS), who indicted two doctors for alleged irregularities and led to their suspension, Punjab Health Department authorities have reinstated the suspended doctors and ordered the transfer of CS Dr Jasvir Singh Aulakh to Chandigarh.

Aulakh has proceeded on leave and alleged that his predecessor, now posted as ESI Director Dr Gurinderbir Singh, under whose tenure irregularities also took place, has conducted the inquiry. Dr Aulakh has raised questions that how an officer of his rank could recommend action against him by overruling his inquiry.

In his letter, sent to senior authorities of Health Department, Dr Aulakh has said: “After joining at Barnala, I found gross irregularities in the Orthopaedic Department at Barnala Civil Hospital and started an inquiry.” He said he sent both orthopedic surgeons — Dr Anshul Garg to Tapa and Dr Harish Mittal — to Dhanaula hospitals. But they allegedly disobeyed the deputation and did not join and were later suspended.

“Recently, Dr Gurinderbir conducted a probe into the case and did not record my statement. On his recommendations, both the surgeons were reinstated. Since Dr Gurinderbir and I are of same rank, how can he overrule an inquiry done by me and recommend action against me?” said Dr Aulakh. Dr Gurinderbir said he had asked Dr Aulakh for his statement during the inquiry but he said we should use his report as his statement. — TNS