GMC Barmulla CMO faces inquiry over alleged directorship in private healthcare company
Srinagar: In a significant development, the Jammu and Kashmir Government has ordered an inquiry against the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Government Medical College (GMC), Baramulla, over allegations of violating service conduct rules through his directorship in a private healthcare company.
According to the news reports, the Health and Medical Education Department, in an order issued on October 6, appointed the in-charge Chief Medical Officer, Baramulla, as the inquiry officer to examine the allegations.
The inquiry will specifically examine his directorship in Clinnova Healthcare Pvt Ltd between May 23, 2020, and June 12, 2020, and whether the association amounted to a violation of Rule 10 of the Jammu and Kashmir Government Employees (Conduct) Rules, 1971.
The inquiry officer has also been asked to scrutinise the doctor’s claim that his association with the company was inadvertent and arose from a matrimonial dispute, besides examining documents submitted in his defence and verification reports of the Anti-Corruption Bureau and Drug Control Officer. Khursheed Ahmad Damnoo, an accountant at GMC Baramulla, has been appointed to present the department's case, reports Daily Excelsior.
The proceedings will include recording of oral and documentary evidence presented by both sides. The charged officer will be given an opportunity to inspect documents, cross-examine witnesses and present his defence. The government has directed the Inquiry Officer to ensure compliance with Rule 34 of the J&K CCA Rules, 1956, and principles of natural justice, reports Rising Kashmir.
The government has directed the inquiry officer to submit a reasoned report within 30 days. The report is required to clearly state whether the charges are proved, not proved, or partly proved, and make recommendations regarding any departmental action considered necessary.
The inquiry will also determine the nature of the alleged violation, including whether it constituted deliberate misconduct or was merely a technical or procedural lapse without any mala fide intent.
The Government order does not establish the allegations against the officer, and the charges will be determined only after completion of the departmental inquiry.
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