PATNA: In a move aimed at establishing his political legitimacy, Biihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi on Tuesday suspended the Patna Medical College Hospital superintendent and transferred seven doctors, who were not present on duty when the Chief Minister had paid a surprise visit to the PMCH on Sunday.
And the decisive action by Manjhi came barely 48 hours after he had ordered the transfer of all senior officials in charge of administration in the state capital in the aftermath of last week’s deadly stampede at Gandhi Maidan.
Interestingly some of these officials are considered close to Manjhi’s predecessor and fellow JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar.
Though initially branded a rubber stamp. Manjhi at least visited the PMCH twice and took action against the doctors, who were absent, unlikeNitish who never visited the hospital to meet the victims and their families.
Not only that, Nitish always tried to protect his officials even after their glaring omissions had come to light.
Incidentally, Nitish also has the dubious distinction of not having transferred even a single officer--not to speak of suspending--after the unprecedented Kosi deluge of August 18, 2008, Chhath tragedy of November 19, 2012 and Hunkar Rally blasts of October 27, 2013.