Punjab’s Health Minister penalized

Taking cognisance of alleged negligence towards  duty, the Permanent Lok Adalat (PLA) in Kapurthala, Punjab  has imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 each on Health Minister Brahm Mohindra; Principal Secretary, Health, Director, Health Services, and Kapurthala Deputy Commissioner for not appearing in the court despite repeated summons issued to them in the last six months.

The minister and officials were summoned in a case filed by Suket Gupta, president, Human Rights Press Club, alleging harassment of patients and doctors due to lack of infrastructure at Civil Hospital, Kapurthala.

Taking cognisance of concerns raised by the medical fraternity in Kapurthala, PLA chairperson Manju Rana had, on November 3 last year, issued summons to the minister and officers, besides Kapurthala Civil Surgeon Dr HS Kahlon.

Following this, Dr Rajiv Prashar, president PCMS specialists, Civil Hospital, Kapurthala, in his undertaking to the court, had claimed that only 21 doctors were working against the sanctioned posts of 33 and there was no gynaecologist and radiologist in the hospital. Minsiter Mohindra however claimed that he was not aware of any such summons; reported a daily from Chandigarh.