20 such officers and employees in the Punjab Health Department alone, continue to be in service.
Corruption in Punjab News: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has taken a strict stance against employees and officers of the Punjab government involved in corruption and serious cases under the NDPS Act.
A division bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Neerja Kulwant Kalson, taking suo motu cognizance of the matter, has sought a detailed report from the Chief Secretary of the Punjab government by February 10.
The court stated that it is a matter of grave concern that officers and employees against whom cases have been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the NDPS Act, and some of whom have even been convicted and sentenced, are still in government service.
The court questioned why such employees have not been dismissed from service. The High Court clarified that this is not only the responsibility of lower-level employees but also of the senior officers who recommended retaining such employees in service despite their convictions.
The court directed that information about these officers also be provided so that action can be taken against them.
During the hearing, it was brought to the court's attention that there are 20 such officers and employees in the Punjab Health Department alone against whom cases of corruption and NDPS violations are registered, yet they continue to be in service.
Some of these cases have been pending since 2019, but no action, not even suspension, has been considered.
One clerk has even been convicted under the NDPS Act, yet he was reinstated and reappointed to the department and is currently working in the office of the Director of Health Services.
The High Court has ordered the Chief Secretary of Punjab to submit information by the next hearing regarding the number of such officers and employees still in service, the cases registered against them, and the recommendations on whose basis they continue to be employed
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