UP minister ‘manhandles’ CMO over doc list

Angry that his recommendations for the appointment of contractual Ayush doctors under the NRHM had been ignored, MoS for Revenue Vinod Kumar Singh alias Pandit Singh, along with armed men, reportedly barged into the residence of Gonda's Chief Medical Officer S P Singh late Monday, dragged him to office and demanded that he change the list of those selected.

Two of the CMO's staff members were also allegedly brought forcibly to the office. Senior officials reportedly rescued them later and sent the CMO to Lucknow.

While Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav was in Mumbai for actor Amitabh Bachchan's birthday celebrations on Wednesday, Health Department sources said he has sought a detailed report into the incident. Health Minister Ahmad Hasan has ordered an inquiry.

The 16 Ayush doctors were selected under NRHM by a panel appointed by the District Magistrate. The CMO was the secretary of the panel. Pandit Singh allegedly got annoyed when he found that two candidates he had recommended were not on the list.

The District Magistrate, who reportedly sent the CMO to Lucknow with police escort, and an additional district magistrate have since gone on leave. Additional District Magistrate C P N Upadhyay, the most senior officer now in the district, said, "I have no information about the incident, I am engaged in electoral duties."

SP Kripa Shanker Singh said he had not received any complaint from CMO and, therefore, could not take any

action.

Pandit Singh denied the allegation: "There is no written complaint against me. Some people are trying to malign my image."

The CMO, when contacted, said, "I am in a state of shock and currently not in a position to talk."

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