Telangana's Director of Public Health, seven others face department inquiry over transfer irregularities

The Hindu

31-07-2025

The Telangana Health Department has initiated departmental proceedings against the Director of Public Health and Family Welfare (DPH), Dr B. Ravinder Naik, and seven other senior officials in connection with procedural irregularities during last year's general transfer process.
According to a circular accessed by The Hindu, the government has appointed Dr J. Ajaya Kumar, Commissioner of Telangana Vaidya Vidhana Parishad (TVVP), as the presenting officer in the inquiry. The circular: 'The government, in exercise of the powers conferred under the Telangana Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1991, appoints Dr J. Ajaya Kumar as the presenting officer to present the case on behalf of the disciplinary authority in support of the article of charges against Dr B. Ravinder Naik and seven other government servants before the inquiring authority.'
The probe pertains to the general transfers effected between June and July 2024, following the issue of a GO, which mandated that healthcare personnel who had served more than four years at a particular institution be compulsorily shifted. However, insiders allege the guidelines were manipulated, favouring certain officers.
'Many used the G.O. selectively to manipulate transfers. Senior officials, including the DPH, ensured that some individuals, despite crossing the four-year limit, remained posted in Hyderabad or other urban areas by invoking political connections or allegedly accepting bribes. Meanwhile, others were transferred even before completing three years of service, which is a clear violation of the rules,' a source in the Health Department said.
The irregularities came to light after multiple doctors filed formal complaints, prompting the then Commissioner of Health and Family Welfare to order a preliminary investigation. The findings of that probe reportedly confirmed procedural violations and suggested financial transactions had occurred to influence postings.
'Based on the initial findings, departmental charges were framed against the eight officers. Since none of them responded with a written explanation despite being issued memos, a full-fledged inquiry has now been launched,' the source added.
Officials familiar with the matter say further disciplinary action, including suspension, could follow depending on the outcome of the investigation.