Kolar malaria officer transferred

CM-led committee upholds decision as allegations of neglecting work are proven

The State government issued a notice to this regard on Thursday.
Dr Narayanaswamy had been accused of failing to take preventive measures although chances of malarial attack were high in the district.

Also, the malaria officer had been accused of running a private practice although he was a government-appointed medical officer.

Order challenged

When transferred to the same post last year on June 29, Dr Narayanaswamy had questioned the order of the Karnataka Administrative Tribunal. This year, however, the Tribunal had given judgment on September 13 and, based on the rules of transfer, had also told the State government to take necessary steps within 15 days.

Following the guidelines of the Tribunal, after a meeting of the Recruitment Authority chaired by the Chief Minister, the government sent the orders again, upholding the decision transfer.

Justification to stay

In his request to the Tribunal on June 30, 2010, to review the decision to transfer him, the medical officer had mentioned that his wife worked as a medical officer in the
Bethamangala Health Centre, that his son was waiting for counselling for higher studies, that his daughter was studying in the eighth standard and also that he had undergone a heart surgery in January 2010.

Dr Narayanaswamy had added that he was being transferred before completion of term. The transfer order was against the rules, he alleged and requested permission to continue as Malaria Officer in the district.

Reasons for transfer

The committee headed by the Chief Minister, however, had several reasons to uphold the previous order.

An officer, to be appointed as district level programme officer, needed to have a minimum of 13 years of service, of which three years should be service in rural area. He/she should also have excellent record on the field. Such an officer can be transferred only through counselling.

In the case of Dr Narayanaswamy, however, was appointed as a government doctor on March 16, 2006, after being appointed as a contract doctor. Therefore, he had only five-and-a-half years of experience, the committee noted.

Complaints

Investigations by the chief awareness officer of the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare Facilities have proven that the officer attended to a private practice during duty hours. Negligence of duty by the malaria officer has resulted in death of three patients in the district due to malaria.

The Deputy Commissioner had reported in June 18, 2010 that in spite of the number of cases of malaria increasing in the district, the officer failed to take precautionary measures. He had also recommended suspension and also transfer of the malaria officer, who was found having a private practice.

The allegations of negligence of duty and bad behaviour have prevented the malaria officer from continuing in the present position and even alleviated the strength of his request to continue due to familial conditions.

Chikkegowda, under-secretary of the Department for Health and Family Welfare, added, in a proposal before the order was passed, that as the officer has also not worked in rural conditions, the committee decided to follow the State Civil Services Act 2011 Section 4(2) and make it compulsory to complete rural service.

In the background of this decision, the committee has also upheld the decision to transfer Dr Narayanaswamy, added Chikkegowda.