Sitamarhi/Patna : The Sitamarhi Health Department has suspended District Community Manager (DCM) Samarendra Narayan Verma following an inquiry into the alleged unauthorised use of an official departmental register to issue a letter to a police station.
According to Civil Surgeon Dr Ravindra Kumar Yadav, the inquiry found that Verma had entered a memorandum number and dispatch number in the Health Department’s register and issued a letter to an SHO in the name of the department, despite not being authorised to do so.
Complaint Prompted Departmental Inquiry
The matter came to light following a complaint filed by Ajay Kumar, a resident of Bairgania, through the government’s ‘Sahyog’ portal.
Following the complaint, the Health Department constituted an inquiry committee to examine the allegations and verify the relevant documents. The committee subsequently submitted its findings to senior officials.
Inquiry Found Letter Was Unauthorised
The Civil Surgeon said the investigation established that the DCM had used the departmental register without authorisation.
The letter issued to the police station was found to be unauthorised, as the DCM did not have the power to issue such correspondence on behalf of the Health Department.
Following the inquiry report, senior officials, including the Executive Director of Health Services in Bihar, Patna, were informed. The Civil Surgeon subsequently ordered Verma’s suspension.
Complaint Also Raised Over ASHA Recruitment
The case also involved a separate complaint alleging that money had been collected from people on the promise of recruiting them as ASHA workers.
The inquiry committee examined this allegation as part of its investigation, and departmental action was taken based on the findings.
Further Action Underway
The suspension follows the departmental inquiry into the alleged misuse of official records. Further proceedings and any additional action will depend on the findings of the ongoing investigation and the applicable service rules.
