Karnataka health officer suspended over daughter's Rs 70,000-salary posting during studies
The DHO, Dr Rajkumar Yaragal, was allegedly involved in appointing his daughter, Dr Ankita Yaragal, as a medical officer while she was pursuing her postgraduate studies.
A District Health Officer (DHO) in Karnataka’s Bagalkot, whose daughter was posted as a Medical Officer at a state-run Namma Clinic while pursuing a postgraduate medical course in violation of rules, has been suspended from the service, according to officials.
The action came a day after India Today TV reported that the officer, Dr Rajkumar Yaragal, was allegedly involved in the appointment of his daughter, Dr Ankita Yaragal, who is also the niece of Bagalkot Congress MLA Umesh Meti.
Ankita was earlier removed from service after she remained absent for a prolonged period to pursue her MD studies, despite drawing more than Rs 70,000 as salary.
According to the suspension order, Rajkumar has been suspended pending a departmental enquiry into allegations of "dereliction of duty, neglect of duty, violation of government rules and misuse of authority".
A preliminary inspection had earlier found that while Ankita remained absent, leaving the health facility without a medical officer, her attendance was being recorded regularly at two places. The suspension order also mentions the same allegation.
Bagalkot Zilla Panchayat CEO Gajanan Bale had earlier issued a notice to Ankita as the department initiated an enquiry. However, she skipped the first summons issued by the higher authorities and was directed to appear again on Friday.
The notice alleged that she continued to receive her salary or honorarium while simultaneously pursuing her postgraduate studies.
Authorities had also warned that the salary or honorarium paid during the alleged unauthorised dual engagement could be recovered as per rules. Disciplinary action could also be initiated over alleged professional misconduct, with the matter potentially being referred to the Karnataka Medical Council and the National Medical Commission.
However, Rajkumar had earlier claimed that his daughter had not drawn any salary since joining the MD course.
OTHER CHARGES AGAINST RAJKUMAR
The suspension order refers not only to the allegations concerning his daughter's posting but also flags other service-related issues based on a report submitted by the Zilla Panchayat CEO.
It was also alleged that Rajkumar was not regularly available in his office during working hours and had adopted a delaying approach by failing to complete essential public and departmental work on time.
The report further accused the officer of functioning at his discretion without following the Karnataka Civil Services (Conduct) Rules and directions issued by the government from time to time.
"He was not maintaining the minimum level of professionalism and discipline expected of a government officer and was behaving irresponsibly with colleagues, staff and members of the public," the suspension order further stated.
He was also accused of failing to respond appropriately to administrative instructions. His alleged lack of cooperation with officers and staff had created a situation in which departmental work could not be carried out in accordance with the rules, the order said.
After examining the allegations, the Commissioner of Health and Family Welfare Services said it had been found that Rajkumar had committed dereliction of duty, violated government rules and misused his authority. He was subsequently suspended from service pending the departmental enquiry.