6 months after attachment, H&ME constitutes committee to probe conduct of then MS DH Shopian

Srinagar: The Health and Medical Education Department on Thursday constituted a committee to inquire into the conduct of Dr Khalid Abass, the then Medical Superintendent of District Hospital Shopian who was attached by the District Magistrate around six months ago.
Anorder issued by the H&ME Department reads “Sanction is, hereby accorded to the constitution of an Inquiry Committee to enquire into the conduct of Dr Khalid Abass, the then Medical Superintendent Shopian based on the facts as enumerated in the order whereunder his attachment was made by the Deputy Commissioner, Shopian vide Order No. DMS/PA/767-76 dated 06.03.2023.”
The committee shall submit its report to the Health and Medical Education Department within a period of 15 days, it adds.
As per the order, Dr Yashpal Sharma, Director Coordination New GMC’s J&K will be the chairman of the committee while Dr Ab Rouf Bhat, Incharge Deputy Director Headquarters Directorate of Health Services Kashmir and Dr Arsheed Hussian Tak, Chief Medical Officer Shopian, will be the members of the committee.
On March 06 this year, the District Magistrate Shopian attached the then Medical Superintendent (MS) of District Hospital Shopian for allegedly allowing the illegal running of a fair price shop in the hospital premises, causing huge financial losses to the state exchequer.
The DM had in the order said that the officer failed to meet the expectations of his role as Medical Superintendent and had been documented on several occasions; however, despite efforts, he failed to improve and this has had a negative impact on the quality of patient care and management of financial affairs of the institute.
The negligence of the officer in the management of the hospital resources has resulted in a significant financial loss to the state exchequer; the DM had said and ordered the constitution of a four-member committee headed by Additional Deputy Commissioner Shopian to enquire into the matter.
The committee was asked to submit its report within 15 days. However, over six months passed; neither the MS was given a clean chit nor was any action taken against him. It took the H&ME Department more than six months to constitute a committee to enquire the matter—