Official late to review meeting, minister seeks his suspension

Narnaul: Haryana health minister Aarti Singh Rao on Tuesday recommended the suspension of Mahendragarh district development and panchayat officer (DDPO) Pramod Kumar for allegedly arriving late to an official review meeting in Narnaul.Addressing reporters after the meeting, Rao said all officials had been informed about the schedule in advance. She said the review was held to assess development works worth over Rs 7.5 crore under the panchayati raj and rural development department."The administration cannot afford complacency when it comes to public service delivery. Accountability will be enforced at every level," Rao said, adding that she had directed the deputy commissioner to initiate the process for recommending disciplinary action.The development drew attention after Kumar reportedly said he had reached the venue about 10 minutes after the scheduled time.Health projects announcedRao also announced a series of healthcare initiatives for Mahendragarh district.She said a mother-and-child hospital would be established in Ateli and that the process of signing an MoU with a reputed institution was nearing completion.The minister said healthcare services at the first referral units in Kanina and Ateli had been upgraded, enabling caesarean deliveries and other critical maternal healthcare services to be provided locally.Acknowledging a shortage of radiologists, Rao said the government was recruiting specialist doctors to improve diagnostic and treatment services.She also reviewed progress on the proposed Rao Tularam Medical College in Charkhi Dadri and the Shaheed Smarak at Nasibpur in Narnaul. Another review meeting on the war memorial project is expected within two weeks, she said.The meeting was attended by MLA Om Prakash Yadav, deputy commissioner Anupama Anjali and other senior officials.