MS transfer order by DHSK triggers row

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, Nov 12: In a bizarre move, the Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir (DHSK) has ordered the transfer of Medical Superintendent (MS), Lal Ded Hospital along with one more Medical Superintendent and a Medical Officer even as the transfer and posting of MS Lal Ded clearly falls within the jurisdiction of the GMC Srinagar.
The move has sparked a controversy as the GMC has maintained that the DHSK cannot, in any way, transfer and order the appointment of the MS of one of its Associated Hospitals and needs to follow the necessary rules in this regard.
The DHSK has ordered the transfer and posting of Dr Shabir Siddiqui, Consultant Anaesthesiology presently working as In-charge Medical Superintendent Lal Ded Hospital. He has been ordered to report to the DHSK for working as Nodal Officer for the establishment of Intensive Care Units in Kashmir.
The Directorate also went ahead and ordered the appointment of Dr Muzaffar Hussain Sherwani as Medical Superintendent, Lal Ded Hospital.
The move has resulted in a feud between DHSK GMC Srinagar even as the Principal GMC has written a letter to the H&ME stating intrusion of the Director Health Services into her area of control.
Officials told Excelsior that Dr Shabir Siddiqui being an employee of the DHSK can be called back by the Director. However, they did not comment over the way the process has been carried out.
Additional Chief Secretary, Vivek Bhardwaj told Excelsior that MS Lal Ded is a consultant and therefore an employee under the Director. “The DHS is well within its rights to transfer its employees,” he said.
Notably, later, to clear out the confusion and alleged intrusion in the area of control of GMC Srinagar, the H&ME issued a separate, similar transfer order in this regard.