Observing that they would “not only try to save their skin but also of other functionaries”, Madhya Pradesh High Court on Friday ordered the removal of registrar Anita Chand and chairman Dr Jiten Chandra Shukla from their posts at the MP Nurses Registration Council (MPNRC) over alleged irregularities in granting recognition to nursing colleges.
A PIL filed by advocate Vishal Baghel in 2022 had alleged that dozens of nursing colleges set up in the state in 2020-2021 were “being run fraudulently without essential infrastructure”. Baghel had filed an intervention application alleging that Chand used to be a member of an inspection committee that submitted a false report, on the basis of which, one R.K.S. Nursing College in Bhopal was granted recognition, although it was later cancelled.
It was prayed that she be removed from her post as “Chand would tamper with the material evidence which can be used against the erring officers, who had committed illegality”.
The application also sought the removal of Shukla, who was holding the post of Director, MPNRC, at the time when several irregularities were allegedly committed by the council.
A Bench of Justices Sanjay Dwivedi and Achal Kumar Paliwal observed that “on the face of delicacy of the issue and noticing various irregularities committed earlier in granting recognition to the nursing colleges, we cannot allow such officers who were involved in the earlier process of granting recognition, to hold such important posts”.
The court was told that the Commissioner (Public Health & Medical Education) has constituted a committee to look into allegations against the two officials. The court, however, was not satisfied.
“…(T)here is every likelihood that such officers would not only try to save their skin but also of other functionaries, try to tamper with the material. We despise such effort and find that it is nothing but an attempt to foil the endeavours made by the court for obviating the irregularities and illegalities in the process of granting recognition,” the court said.
The court directed the Principal Secretary of the Public Health and Medical Education to remove Chand from the post of registrar and Shukla from the post of MPNRC chairman, and to instead “appoint some responsible officers, having unblemished service career, in their place”.
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