Srinagar, July 9: After delaying action over an internal inquiry pointing out large scale fake appointments in Health Department, Jammu and Kashmir Government Monday attached seven officials of the department allegedly involved in irregularities.
While the inquiry report about fake appointments made in south Kashmir during the past couple of years was submitted to State Government last month, the action against the accused officials was initiated only this evening.
This newspaper was first to break the story about the fake appointments in the Health Department.
The officials attached with Directorate of Health Services Kashmir are: Dr. N. A. Hakim, Deputy Director (Schemes), Kashmir; Dr Altaf Beigh, CMO, Kulgam; Dr. A. R. Matoo, in-charge Deputy CMO, Islamabad (Anantnag); Dr. G. M. Shaksaz, Medical Superintendent, JLNM Hospital, Srinagar; Dr. Bashir Ahmed Najar, BMO, Larnoo; Dr. Gowhar Abbass, BMO, Mattan; and Dr. Iqbal Bichoo presently attached in the CMO’s Office Islamabad (Anantnag).
Talking to Greater Kashmir, Health Minister Sham Lal Sharma said these officials have been prima-facie found involved in making fake appointments over the years.
“These officers have been attached to Directorate of Health Services and are being charge- sheeted. Further Director Health Services Kashmir has been asked to inquire into all such complaints in matter of other districts as well and submit a report to the Government,” Sham said, adding that names of junior officials are being sent to Director Health Services Kashmir for similar necessary action.
He said that a detailed in-depth inquiry in the matter would be conducted by a team headed by Syed Iftikhar-ul-Hassnain, Special Secretary to Government, Health & Medical Education Department.
Today’s action was taken on an inquiry report submitted by Deputy Director (Dentistry) Kashmir, Dr. Abdur Rashid Shah, who was directed by Director Health Services Kashmir Dr. Saleem –ur-Rehman to investigate the matter. The Director was asked by State Government to conduct probe in the matter after appearance of news reports about the fake appointments.
Sources told Greater Kashmir that attached officials have allegedly appointed more than 180 persons in four blocks of south Kashmir during their tenure as BMOs and CMOs.
Commissioner Secretary Health and Medical Education, M K Divedi, said that problem of fake appointments is chronic in the State and they have also asked Director Health Services Jammu to conduct similar probe.
“At least there are 100-200 such appointments in each district in Kashmir and there is need for thorough probe in it,” he said.
Diwedi said that action would be initiated into fake appointments made in Budgam and Pulwama districts within a few days.
“I am analyzing the preliminary reports from both places,” he said, adding “whosoever is involved would not be spared.”
Sources also disclosed that preliminary inquiry in fake appointments was also conducted in Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora, Srinagar and Ganderbal districts by Dr G.A. Wani, Nodal Officer, National Mental Health Mission, Kashmir.
According to credible sources, Wani in his report has also pointed out that more than 400-500 fake appointments were made in these districts including 120 in Srinagar.
A top official in Civil Secretariat said that thorough investigation into fake appointments would open Pandora’s Box as most of these appointments have been reportedly made on recommendations of ministers and legislators.
“Health Department is under intense pressure from different quarters to hush up the scam,” he said, adding that inquiry officer, who conducted investigation in four blocks of south Kashmir, was asked to wind up the probe apparently under political pressure.
According to the said official, the delay in taking action over fake appointments was consequence of pressure from different quarters.
It has been reliably learnt that Crime Branch and State Vigilance Organization are also investigating the scam, after preliminary report was submitted to them by Director Health Services Kashmir.
Sources said that the Government was in no hurry to take action against the employees who made their entry through back door. “The verification of their cases will be taken up one by one and then requisite action will follow,” they said.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 9 Jul 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 9 Jul 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 10 Jul 2012 00:00:00 IST