Tamil Nadu health fraternity rattled over corruption charges

DECCAN CHRONICLE. | ANNA SAKHI JOHN

Chennai: The state health fraternity woke up to a shock after I-T sleuths raided the top brass of the state health department starting from health minister Dr C. Vijayabaskar and vice chancellor of the Dr MGR University Dr S. Geethalakshmi. The incident sent shocking waves among the medicos and medical administrators associated with the minister and the vice chancellor.

The raids and the deployment of the paramilitary force were the talk of the day and had a ripple effect in all government hospitals and state-run medical colleges coming under the ambit of MGR University. The raids also brought mixed response among the medical fraternity.

Stating that the raids have come at a wrong time, Dr Ravindranath of the Doctors' Association for Social Equality (DASE) said, "The state government is now fighting against the Central Government on issues relating to the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Neet) and other similar issues. The Central Government is indirectly threatening higher officials of the state Health Department. The raids are therefore one coated with political intentions."

"It is humiliating as the health minister is a doctor and it will affect the morale of doctors. Also, the vice chancellor's post is very significant and such raids can bring disrepute to the university," said a doctor seeking anonymity.

"There can be various reasons for raids particularly when there is bypoll followed by the demise of the chief minister. Though corrupt practices are not uncommon, there hasn't been a spurt for which the raids were suddenly conducted. Rumours of corrupt practices on part of the vice chancellor have been there. However, until something is proved from the raids, we should give them a clean chit," the doctor added. Dr Geethalakshmi could not be reached when Deccan Chronicle tried to contact her.

Driver throws out documents

Kumar, a driver of Vijayabhaskar, tried to escape from the residence of the minister with a bunch of documents.

By the time I-T sleuths managed to overpower him near the compound wall, Kumar had thrown the documents out and somebody standing outside had collected them and escaped from the scene. Kumar later lodged a complaint with the police saying that he was assaulted by I-T sleuths.