Major promotion scam surfaces in GMC&H Jammu

Ex-principal promoted 'blue-eyed' officials by changing cadre, ignoring seniority
Nitesh Sangral
Early Times Report
Jammu, May 25: The Government Medical College and Hospital Jammu is once again in news for all the wrong reasons. It has come to the fore that many undeserving officials had been promoted during the tenure of former principal by compromising the seniority and change of cadre.
The ex-principal had reportedly thrown the recommendations of Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) into dustbin to benefit some 'blue-eyed' officials, hence causing huge financial loss to the exchequer.

Skeletons tumble! The ex-principal had reportedly thrown the recommendations of Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) into dustbin to benefit some 'blue-eyed' officials, hence causing huge financial loss to the exchequer.

In the first high-level meeting of the incumbent principal Dr Sunanda Raina with Minister for Health and Medical Education Bali Bhagat, the latter had raised the issue of illegal promotions and change of cadre during the tenure of ex-principal Dr Zahid Gillani.
On the directions of the minister, the then Commissioner Secretary had directed the principal to check Own Pay Grade (OPG) orders in associated hospitals and see whether they were confirmed and have been issued as per seniority and the laid down guidelines.
"The head of GMC&H has so far failed to conduct an enquiry", sources told Early Times, adding that even the Personal Officer of GMC principal had issued a circular in which she had asked the promoted employees to submit OPG orders. But the principal has failed to address the issue.
In 2016, the DPC was called and it was attended by the Personal Officer of the GMC principal, administrator and Additional Secretary from Health Ministry. The DPC had not confirmed the same, but the former principal had gone against the recommendations of DPC and promoted some blue-eyed officials.
Documents in possession of Early Times state that Dr Gillani during his tenure had done gross administrative irregularities and taken arbitrary decisions according to which, the cadre of Dewan Chand, Senior Assistant, (Grade Pay 2400) was changed and promoted to the post of programmer (Grade Pay 4050) without requisite qualification and norms. Chand had also drawn arrears worth several lakhs of rupees.
The cadre of an electrician, Manoj Gupta, was changed and he was promoted as I/C Biomedical Engineer. Cadre of Darshan Kumar (NO) was changed and he was promoted as Junior Assistant with provision of charge allowance despite having no qualification and in the seniority list.
Many other NOs have also been made Junior Assistants including Rattan Lal who was promoted as Senior Assistant by ignoring seniority list.
Similarly, six Class IV employees were promoted as plumber and linemen by changing of cadre with charge allowance without requisite qualification and rules. Sonu Rani FMPHW (Grade Pay 1900) was promoted as TB Inspector (Grade Pay 240) with charge allowance. Rakesh Kumar was appointed as junior Physiotherapist in 2010 and he was made in-charge Physiotherapy Section with charge allowance in GMC Jammu, which was in violation of seniority of Basant Seyal, who was appointed in 2000.
Official sources alleged that there were numerous other orders which were issued during the tenure of Dr Gillani, without having any government record.
"We have received representation from doctors of GMC&H Jammu regarding illegal promotions and change of cadre. The matter is being examined", said Bhagat said. He said if anyone was found guilty, action will be taken under law.