Controversial health officer rehired

Chandigarh, December 29

Controversial Director, Health, Dr Rajiv Bhalla, who will retire from service on Sunday, has been recommended for a plum post by the Minister for Health and Family Welfare. Dr Bhalla was indicted by a departmental inquiry in a case of bungling of funds.
Sources said Health Minister Brahm Mohindra had written to the Managing Director, Punjab Health Systems Corporation (PHSC), that after retirement, Dr Bhalla should be hired as a consultant with the corporation.
Mohindra has also recommended a hefty salary package for the officer, who will be getting his last drawn salary less pension, which comes close to Rs 1 lakh.
Dr Bhalla along with two other senior health officials was indicted by a departmental inquiry pertaining to a scam of intrauterine device copper T procedures on women in Jalandhar district. Dr Bhalla was the Civil Surgeon there at that time.
It was claimed that around 70,000 copper T procedures were performed in Jalandhar district. But in the entire state, not even half of such procedures were done under the population control programme the same year.
The sources said it was not the first time when the minister had “favoured” Dr Bhalla. In the copper T case, the Principal Secretary, Health, had forwarded the report to the minister, who, instead of acting against Dr Bhalla as per the recommendations, ordered further probe against the other two doctors.
When contacted, Mohindra said there was a dearth of experienced people in the department and Dr Bhalla’s appointment was recommended keeping in mind his experience. When asked about the scam, he claimed that nothing was found against him in that case.
New Director, Health

Sources said Dr Jaspal Kaur, Director, ESI dispensaries, would take over as Director, Health Services, on Monday. Dr Jaspal Kaur had earlier served as deputy director and medical superintendent in Jalandhar and Amritsar hospitals.