BENGALURU: Thanks to the Lokayukta, a young doctor can finally pursue a post graduation course. The doctor’s name was left out from the final list of doctors who were to get admission under the in-service quota as a departmental inquiry is pending against him for dereliction of duty. Since charges framed in the inquiry do not relate to corruption, misappropriation of funds or lack of integrity, the Lokayukta directed the authorities concerned to include his name in the list.
After Dr P C Lohith submitted a representation, Lokayukta Justice P Vishwanatha Shetty held a meeting with Upa Lokayukta Justice N Ananda, who asked the Director of the Department of Health and Family Welfare Services to forward Dr Lohith’s name to the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) for verification and counselling for admission to PG course. He is working as medical officer, primary health centre, Hirebendigeri, Shiggaon taluk in Haveri district.
In his representation, Dr Lohith stated that he is one of the 60 candidates who have passed NEET in 2016. He is hence eligible for admission to post graduate studies under the service quota. The charges framed against him are that, in 2013, when he was in-charge medical officer of the primary health centre in Hosaritti, Haveri, he did not maintain cleanliness and relevant registers in the hospital. An inquiry was ordered against him on the report submitted under Section 12(3) of the Karnataka Lokayukta Act. Accordingly, an inquiry officer was nominated and the inquiry is pending before the Upa Lokayukta. The charges were framed on June 8, 2015.
“After Dr Lohith submitted the representation, I held a discussion with Upa Lokayukta Justice Ananda. We decided to permit his name for post graduate course, keeping in mind the public interest and to utilise his specialised knowledge for the good of general public. The charges framed in the departmental inquiry do not relate to corruption or misappropriation of funds or lack of integrity. The charges mainly relate to dereliction of duty,” Lokayukta Justice P Vishwanatha Shetty told Express.
In the letter to the director of the Department of Health and Family Welfare Services, Upa Lokayukta Justice Ananda said there is justification in the representation given by Dr Lohith. Even the Karnataka Civil Service Rules, 1957, do not permit disciplinary authority to deny admission to post graduation studies when the doctor in service passed NEET. The denial of admission for post graduate course to Dr Lohith amounts to imposition of penalty during the pending of inquiry, the Upa Lokayukta said.