SAMBALPUR: Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Department, VIMSAR, Goutam Kumar Satpathy was suspended by Director Aswini Pujahari on Monday after he was caught attending patients privately at his residence during duty hours.
Satpathy has been placed under suspension in exercise of power under 12 OCS (CCA) Rules, 1962 with immediate effect pending departmental inquiry, the suspension letter stated. The Director of VIMSAR has directed him not to leave the headquarter without obtaining permission.
Sources said on Saturday, the Director who visited the department found Satpathy absent during his duty hours. On verification, he ascertained that Satpathy was at his home. Later, he visited the residence of Satpathy and caught him red-handed while he was checking on a patient. He also recorded the proceedings on his mobile camera.
However, Satpathy claimed that he had gone home for lunch when he came across one of his old patient waiting for him. The patient had a child and come with complains of medical reaction. He simply changed the medicine and even did not charge consultation fee. Later, he explained the same in a showcause notice issued to him by the Director and submitted on Monday noon. But he was placed under suspension, Satpathy said and added that it was prerogative of the Director to take action.
Meanwhile, the action has evoked mixed response from the people at large. While some have welcomed the decision, some feel that the action was taken in a haste with VIMSAR already struggling with largescale vacancies.