New Delhi: The Delhi government has reassigned Health Secretary Rupesh Kumar Thakur (IAS: 2006: AGMUT), amid an ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities in the procurement of medicines, surgical supplies and medical equipment for government hospitals. Senior IAS officer Prashant Goyal (IAS: 1993: AGMUT) has been given additional charge of the Health and Family Welfare Department as part of a wider administrative reshuffle involving IAS and DANICS officers.
According to reports, the reshuffle was ordered on October 8. Thakur, a 2006-batch IAS officer, will continue as Chief Executive Officer of the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB), a position he had been holding as an additional charge.
Health Department Change Comes Amid ₹700-Crore Procurement Probe
The administrative change comes as the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) investigates an alleged ₹700-crore medical procurement scam involving supplies to Delhi government hospitals.
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The case concerns alleged irregularities in the procurement of medicines, consumables and medical equipment, including supplies linked to six government hospitals. Investigators have examined allegations involving tender processes and the supply of substandard materials. The allegations remain subject to investigation and legal proceedings.
The Health Department had also faced questions over pending procurement decisions. Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh had sought an explanation from Thakur over alleged delays in submitting an action plan for procuring medicines, consumables and medical equipment. Reports said the department had also raised concerns about companies named in an earlier FIR continuing to supply materials to government hospitals.
Key Developments in the Case
- ACB investigation: The agency is probing alleged irregularities in medical procurement for government hospitals.
- Procurement concerns: The investigation includes allegations relating to tendering and the supply of medicines and medical equipment.
- Administrative action: Thakur has been moved out of the Health and Family Welfare Department but will continue as CEO of DUSIB.
- Earlier proceedings: The Delhi government has separately sanctioned prosecution of three former officials arrested in connection with the alleged procurement scam.
Other Changes in Delhi’s Bureaucratic Reshuffle
The reshuffle also affects several senior officers across departments, including Power, Excise, Social Welfare, Food and Civil Supplies, and Transport.
Among the key appointments and changes are:
- Prashant Goyal (IAS: 1993: AGMUT): Assigned additional charge of the Health and Family Welfare Department and appointed Additional Chief Secretary (Power), with other responsibilities in the Delhi administration.
- Bipul Pathak (IAS: 1992: AGMUT): Continues as Additional Chief Secretary for Social Welfare and related welfare departments and has been given additional charge as Financial Commissioner.
- Navin Kumar Choudhary (IAS: 1994: AGMUT): Assigned additional responsibilities involving Food and Civil Supplies, while continuing with the General Administration Department and Irrigation and Flood Control portfolios.
- Awanish Kumar (IAS: 2014: AGMUT): Appointed Commissioner (Excise) as the Delhi government prepares to roll out its new excise policy.
- Niharika Rai (IAS: 2005: AGMUT): Given additional charge as Chairman and Managing Director of the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and relieved of her additional charge as Secretary of Tourism.
The reshuffle changes leadership and responsibilities across several key departments in Delhi. The investigation into the alleged medical procurement irregularities remains a separate ongoing process.
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