UP-Fresh NRHM appointments in 6 districts

Lucknow: State health department officials have detected anomalies in the appointment of allopathic and AYUSH doctors and other staff in Gonda and five other districts. The appointments were taking place under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) for Ashirwad Child Health Guarantee Scheme and were stalled after chief medical officer of Gonda alleged that local MLA and state minister for revenue and rehabilitation in the Samajwadi Party government Vinod alias Pandit Singh was forcing him to appoint his candidates.

The process of appointments is now being given final shape in other districts. Health officials claim the process would be finalised by the end of November. In Gonda and the remaining five districts, process of appointment would start all over again. This means the list of candidates selected earlier stands cancelled. Health and family minister Ahmed Hasan told reporters that procedural anomalies had come into light in six districts, including Gonda, Bahraich, Sultanpur and Siddharthnagar.

The minister added that strict action would be initiated against errant officers. Action would be taken once police report from Gonda comes in. Commissioner Lucknow division, who was appointed to probe the matter, has already submitted his report. “Those who have flouted the norms for vested interest will not be spared,” said the minister.

The incident came into light in October and led to a freeze on appointments. Though he didn’t defend his fellow minister, the health minister raised a finger on the integrity of chief medical officers (CMOs) posted in various districts. At around 10pm on October 13, he froze appointment of over 15,000 health personnel, including doctors, nurses and technicians for NRHM’s Ashirwad Child Health Guarantee Scheme. The minister had ordered scrutiny of the recruitment process in every district, during which period the department will not issue any appointment letter to the candidates selected so far.

Because of the non-availability of MBBS doctors, both AYUSH and Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) doctors are to be hired for the scheme on contract basis for a year under NRHM.[Source]