NHM project manager absent sans leave for 9 months, no action yet

MANAGER CALLS HIMSELF A HIGHRISK PATIENT, SAYS WAS WORKING FROM HOME

MOGA : The district project manager of the National Health Mission (NHM) in Moga remained absent from duty in an unauthorised manner for at least nine months at a time when the state was grappling with the pandemic-triggered health crisis.

The state health department, however, has not taken any action against Vinesh Kumar Nagpal, who, it is learnt, stayed away from official work for months a few years ago also. The district project manager’s role is considered crucial in the functioning of the department as their responsibilities are equivalent to that of the civil surgeon’s, an official said.

Those hired for the job (mostly contractual basis) supervise, monitor and manage NHM programmes, schemes and services in the district. They report to the civil surgeon concerned.

Nagpal, who was off duty since November 3, 2020, rejoined on Saturday with no departmental clarification sought from him.

Moga civil surgeon Dr Amarpreet Kaur Bajwa said, “We faced a lot of difficulties during the Covid-19 crisis due to his absence. We had to assign the district project manager’s duties to his subordinate. He did not cite any reason for his absence. We even wrote several letters to the state health department in this regard, but to no avail.”

When contacted, Nagpal said, “I am a high-risk patient as I have heart and kidney ailments. I was not absent as I was working from home.” About his purported involvement in his home interior business in Muktsar during the period of absence, he said, “What is wrong if I sit at my shop for two hours?”

Principal secretary (health) Husan Lal said, “I do not look into such appointments. It is the duty of the NHM director and I have asked him to look into the matter.”

NHM managing director (MD) Kumar Rahul did not respond to repeated calls and messages.