HC orders withholding of salaries of senior officers of Health Department, Punjab

Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has expressed strong displeasure over the Punjab government not disbursing Rs 350 crore received by it under the Ayushman Bharat scheme from the Central government to hospitals and continuing to incur other expenses.

In view of this, the court directed the Punjab government to place before it the details of the advertisements made by it in the print and audio-visual media and the expenses incurred on the renovation of the houses and offices of ministers, MLAs and Class I officers and the purchase of new vehicles, including cars.

Along with this, the High Court has also ordered to attach or withhold the salaries of senior officers of the Health Department.

The officers whose salaries have been ordered to be withheld include Principal Secretary Health Kumar Rahul, State Health Agency CEO Babita, Director Deepak and Deputy Director Sharanjit Kaur.

These orders will remain in force at least till the next hearing of the case in mid-October.

Passing the order, Justice Vinod S Bharatwaj said the details are being sought by him to ascertain whether the funds/grants are being used for the purpose for which they are being received.