Appointment of new DGHS may run into rough weather

New Delhi: The promotion of Promila Gupta as Director General of Health Services (DGHS) from the additional director general of health services may run into rough weather as Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has sought legal opinion in the matter of two criminal cases pending against her in Delhi government's Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB).

According to sources, Gupta, who took the charge as the DGHS (officer incharge) in the Health Ministry, is yet to get clearance of Central Vigilance Commission (CVC).

"The Law Ministry is examining her case and final opinion in this regard would be submitted to Health Ministry soon. As there are two criminal cases pending against her in Delhi government, the legal department has sought details from Delhi government to make a final opinion," the sources said.

Referring to previous instances, the sources added that in such cases, the legal department give an 'adverse' opinion and if it happens so, the promotion of Gupta may face a legal tangle.

Surprisingly, the Health Ministry was not aware of the two FIRs against her. It's worth mentioning that the previous DGHS -- Jagdish Prasad -- was removed from the post over a vigilance inquiry and the new one is also facing similar charges. Sources said that Gupta, who was deputed in the Delhi government for few years, faced corruption charges while she was the medical superintendent of the Aruna Asaf Ali Hospital. An FIR was registered by the ACB under sections 13 (1) d, 13 (2), 420, 468, 471, 201 and 120 B of the Indian Penal Code in the matter of irregularities in purchase of medical items. Gupta is yet to get a clean chit from the ACB.