Patna: The Bihar government has removed Dr Narendra Pratap Singh from the post of Principal of Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) after he was found absent during an inspection by Health Minister Nishant Kumar earlier this week.
The Health Department has appointed Dr Geeta Sinha as the new principal, assigning her responsibility for leading the state’s largest government medical college and hospital.
Action After Inspection
The disciplinary action follows the Health Minister’s visit to PMCH on June 23, when Dr Narendra Pratap Singh was reportedly absent from duty.
According to the Health Department, the principal had neither obtained prior leave nor formally handed over charge to another official before his absence.
Officials also said attempts by the Health Minister to contact him during the inspection were unsuccessful.
The department subsequently removed him from the post of principal, citing unauthorised absence during official duty.
Former Principal Disputes Action
Dr Narendra Pratap Singh has challenged the government’s decision, saying he was unable to attend work because he had been injured in an accident before the minister’s visit.
He argued that the disciplinary action was taken without giving him an opportunity to explain the circumstances of his absence.
“I had met with an accident prior to the Health Minister’s inspection, which is why I could not attend. The department took action against me without hearing my side; I should have been given an opportunity to provide an explanation,” he said.
New Principal Appointed
Following Singh’s removal, the Health Department appointed Dr Geeta Sinha as the new Principal of PMCH.
The appointment comes as the Bihar government has intensified efforts to strengthen accountability and administrative oversight in public health institutions through inspections and monitoring of hospital services.
The department has not publicly responded to Dr Singh’s explanation regarding his absence beyond citing his failure to obtain prior leave or make alternative administrative arrangements before the inspection.
