PANAJI
Whether its inquiries into the death of student Ravina Rodrigues due to medical negligence nearly a decade and a half ago, the collapse of Ruby Residency in 2014 or the issuance of fake sick certificates to police personnel; Goa government’s determination to bring these issues to a logical conclusion appears to be lacking.
Its own records reveal that either inquiries are pending or respective disciplinary authority’s decisions are awaited. As many as 35 vigilance cases against officers from various departments in the Collectorate, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, Public Health, Police, Urban Development, Personnel, etc are pending or awaiting action.
One of these inquiries is against the Professor and Head of Department of Surgery (Goa Medical College, Bambolim) Dilip Amonkar, over alleged negligence in the death of 17-year-old Ravina in 2010. It triggered an outrage across Goa with her parents blaming the GMC and a private hospital for gross negligence in treating her abdominal pain/appendix which led to her death.
The then government formed a committee of doctors to probe the alleged medical negligence and sought disciplinary action as well as criminal investigation against the doctors for gross negligence. While the fate of other inquiries is not known, the Vigilance inquiry is pending.
As per government’s latest information, “Inquiry is pending with the Inquiring Authority.” Since 2015 when the show cause notice was issued to Dr Amonkar, only 19 hearings have taken place so far.
Another government doctor - then Senior Surgeon of the Hospicio Hospital, Margao Dr Anil Rane, faced inquiry for allegedly issuing sick certificates to Police Personnel on ‘flimsy grounds.’ These certificates, allegations revealed, were used by the latter to avoid crucial and urgent duties already assigned to them by their department.
After 26 hearings, the Vigilance Department submitted the file to the Disciplinary Authority for appropriate decision. The outcome is awaited.
A similar situation prevails in the inquiry against Deputy Town Planner Prakash Paru Bandodkar, and Draughtsman Ramesh Naik, into the collapse of the Ruby Residency building at Chaudi-Canacona in February 2014. While the file is submitted to the Disciplinary Authority, a decision is awaited.
Among recent cases under inquiry by the Vigilance Department are against suspended Mamlatdar Rahul Desai and former Civil Registrar cum Sub Registrar in Mapusa Tushan Kunkolikar. Desai is facing two inquiries for his alleged involvement in land grab cases and negligence in finalizing poll results for a ward in Calangute.
Kunkolikar has a maximum of three inquiries, two of which were initiated just last month.
He faces allegations of failing to comply with written instructions from his superior officer, disrespecting his superior, misbehavior, disobedience, serious procedural lapses, etc.
