Jammu, January 20 (KNS): The Health and Medical Education Department of Jammu and Kashmir has concluded an inquiry into alleged irregularities in the procurement of medicines under the Indian System of Medicines (ISM). While two officials were penalized with a minor penalty, four others were exonerated following a detailed investigation.
According to Government Order No. 33-JK(HME) of 2025, dated January 5, 2025, which lies with Wire Agency -Kashmir News Service (KNS), the inquiry stemmed from allegations forwarded by the Vigilance Organization (now Anti-Corruption Bureau) regarding misconduct by members of the Verification Board/Medicine Inspection Committee. The accused officials included Rajesh Kumar Shan, the then Chairman of the Verification Board/Medicine Inspection Committee; Dr. Anil Kant Gupta, the then ADMO Udhampur; Dr. Anayat Ali Rather, the then Medical Officer, District Doda; Dr. Rohit Gupta, the then Nodal Officer, District Samba; Dr. Rakesh Kumar Raina, the then Drug Inspector ISM; and Dr. Sajad Hussain Suja, the then Drug Inspector ISM.
The order stated, “The prescribed procedure for procurement of medicines in the ISM department was followed, including requisition collection, global e-tendering, and supply verification. There was no separate AYUSH drug authority for procurement, and the existing procedures were adhered to. However, specific allegations regarding monetary transactions against Dr.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelRohit Gupta were investigated.” Dr. Gupta defended the Rs. 95,000 transaction, claiming it was repayment from a classmate, and no misconduct was established.
After reviewing the findings, the government imposed a “minor penalty of withholding one increment for one year (non-cumulative)” on Rajesh Kumar Shan and Dr. Anayat Ali Rather under Rule 30(iii) of the J&K Civil Services (Classification, Control, and Appeal) Rules, 1956. The order further directed them to “remain careful in the future while discharging duties and dealing with such sensitive cases.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Rakesh Kumar Raina and Dr. Sajad Hussain Suja were “exonerated, and charges against them were dropped.” Similarly, cases against Dr. Anil Kant Gupta and Dr. Rohit Gupta were “closed in terms of Article 168-A of J&K CSR.”
The government emphasized the need for reforms, stating, “Testing of supplies should be conducted batch-wise in NABL-accredited laboratories before distribution, and adequate infrastructure and scientific storage should be implemented to prevent issues like fungal infestations.”
The order, issued by Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, IAS, Secretary to the Government, Health and Medical Education Department, concludes by urging officials to strengthen transparency and accountability in procurement processes.(KNS).