J&K health official transfers Rs 40 crore central funds to his account,suspended

In a brazen case of embezzlement,a junior officer in the J&K Health Ministry transferred Rs 40 crore.

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In a brazen case of embezzlement,a junior officer in the J&K Health Ministry transferred Rs 40 crore money provided by the central government to set up nursing schools in the state into his own account without any authorisation by the competent authority.

Dr Shafkat Ahmad Khan who is reported to be close to J&K Health Minister and Congress leader Sham Lal and Principal Secretary,Health and Medical Education R K Jerath was suspended,attached with Director Health,Kashmir and a departmental inquiry ordered against him. He (Khan) will be immediately placed under suspension pending inquiry, said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. It (the case) will all be investigated thoroughly, he said.

Jerath said: We have already frozen the account and the money has been transferred to the finance department.

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Khans case exposes the rot that has engulfed the J&K Health Ministry manned by Sham Lal who was a pharmacist in the J&K health department before joining the Congress and subsequently becoming Health Minister. Sources in the Secretariat said Lals consistent violation of the rule book has become routine and Khan is one of the several beneficiaries.

Sources said that although Khan is a junior officer,he was made in-charge assistant director for AIDS Control Society,nodal officer for Tobacco Control,nodal officer for H1N1 and nodal officer for Solid Waste Management besides being the officer on special duty with the Health and Medical Education Department. This was reportedly due to his proximity to Sham Lal and Jerath. Sources added that Khan was also recommended for induction in Kashmir Adminstrative Service.

The Health Ministry only took action after the CM intervened and issued clear directions to suspend Khan.