Delhi Governor Suspends Health Dept Head, Latter Calls it 'Arbitrary'

New Delhi: The Lt Governor of Delhi, V K Saxena has ordered the suspension of Dr. Vandana Bagga, the Director of the Health and Family Welfare Department, while specifying that a disciplinary proceeding is being contemplated against the doctor.

Issuing an order in this regard on 07.01.2025, the Delhi Governor further clarified that during the period that Dr. Bagga would remain suspended, she would not be allowed to leave the headquarters without obtaining the permission of the Competent Authority.

Further, the order specified that during the period of suspension, the Health Department Chief would be entitled to an allowance at an amount equal to the leave salary that she would have drawn if she had been on leave on half average pay. However, for this, she would have to furnish a certificate specifying that she was not employed in any business, profession, or vocation for a profit/remuneration/salary.

"Whereas a disciplinary proceeding against Dr. Vandana Bagga, Director, Department of Family Welfare (DFW), and holding additional charge of Director, Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Govt. of NCT of Delhi is contemplated. Now therefore, the Hon'ble Lt. Governor, Delhi, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-rule (1) of Rule-10 of the CCS (CCA) Rules, 1965, hereby, places the said Dr. Vandana Bagga, Director, DGHS/ DFW under suspension with immediate effect," read the order dated 07.01.2025.

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"It is further ordered that during the period that this order shall remain in force, the headquarters of Dr. Vandana Bagga, Director, DGHS/ DFW shall be Delhi and the said Dr. Vandana Bagga, Director, DGHS/ DFW should not leave the headquarters without obtaining the previous permission of the Competent Authority," the order, issued by Vigilance Special Secretary Dr. Ajay Kumar Bisht, further said.

Regarding the salary during this period of suspension, the order mentioned, "It is also ordered that the said Dr. Vandana Bagga, Director, DGHS/ DFW during the period of her suspension would be entitled to a subsistence allowance at an amount equal to the leave salary which she would have drawn, had she been on leave on half average pay, under FR-53, subject to the furnishing of a certificate to the effect that she has not been employed in any business, profession or vocation for a profit/ remuneration/ salary."

As per the latest media report by Indian Express, a State Health Department official claimed that Dr. Bagga was not issuing a tender approved by the Health Minister for outsourcing lab services and she was also not finalising another tender to procure drugs, which was being followed by the CM and Minister every day. Therefore, she was suspended, claimed the official.

In the file notings prepared for her suspension, the State Health Department officials mentioned that instead of performing her role as an HoD, Dr. Bagga had become a stumbling block for every scheme of the Department.

Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj has alleged that Dr. Bagga was being accused of corruption regarding two tenders. He alleged, "She had alleged in the presence of many senior officers and MS/MDs hospitals that the Health Secretary and Special Secretary Health had pressured her to make the tender amount Rs 150 crore instead of a smaller amount. It is common knowledge that some big firms were being favoured by jacking up the tender amount. In earlier tenders of CPA, this tender amount used to be Rs 20-30 crore."

However, Dr. Bagga has called the suspension arbitrary and alleged that it was ordered to potentially benefit a certain political party in the Delhi elections. She has written to the Election Commission of India, the Chief Electoral Officer, the State Health Minister, the Delhi Chief Minister, and other officials in this regard.

She pointed out that Health being a State subject, the L-G was bound to act as per Section 42 Government of NCT of Delhi Act, 1991 — which is with the aid and advice of the minister of health or the council of ministers including chief minister of the government of Delhi.

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