Thaindian News

Thiruvananthapuram, June 5 (IANS) A section of Kerala’s government doctors has alleged that Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan’s son-in-law has been favoured by the health department in retaining a plum posting.
The health department early this week transferred over 1,600 doctors across the state but retained Achuthanandan’s son-in-law P. Thankaraj at the General Hospital here ignoring the claims of many senior and better qualified than him to be posted there, an office bearer of the Kerala Government Medical Officers Association (KGMOA) said.

Protesting the mass transfers a number of doctors went on leave while other refused to accept the orders affecting the work in many hospitals in the state.

“According to the newly laid down rules on promotions and transfers, Thankaraj cannot be posted at the General Hospital,” the KGMOA official told IANS on condition of anonymity.

Achuthanandan’s son-in-law works in the surgery department at the General Hospital.

The KGMOA official said going by Thankaraj’s qualifications, experience and date of joining the government service he should not have been posted in the General Hospital. But, now he has been retained while many with better qualification and experience have not got a posting there, the official alleged.

There have been several cases of such favouritism, he charged.

The transfers have been stayed till Monday by the high court on a petition by a doctor. The case will be taken up for further hearing on that day.

Kerala Health Minister P.K. Sreemathi told reporters Saturday that the transfers were made because some doctors had been working at certain places for a long time.

But with the issue reaching the court and resentment among the doctors besides affecting work in the government hospitals, she said all anomalies would be rectified.

“This is the first time that such a big transfer of doctors has taken place and there could have been some problems in the list. We will rectify anamolies, if any,” Sreemathi said.