SHILLONG: Meghalaya Health Minister, AL Hek said the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, had instructed the Director of NEIGRIHMS, DM Thappa to go on a long leave many months back.
When drawn to the demands raised by the KSU for removal of the director, Hek revealed that he along with the chief minister Conrad Sangma had met Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda eight months ago to discuss the internal bickering in NEIGRIHMS.
“It was eight months ago that me and the CM met JP Nadda in Delhi. We discussed on the same matter, since we observed that after he (Thappa) took charge, disorder erupted in NEIGRIHMS. Nadda gave clear direction through the Secretary of the Union Health Ministry to instruct the Director to go on a long leave,” Hek said.
Despite the direction by the Union Health Ministry to the Director, he still continued in the post and Hek informed that Thappa could continue as “Thappa got shelter from the SC/ST Commission.”
On the NEIGRIHMS imnroglio, Hek said an inquiry would be constituted to go into depth of the issue. “The inquiry will not be partial. The inquiry will be for both the Cardiology department and the Director,” he added.
Further, he said the Director cannot be held solely responsible for the NEIGRIHMS stalemate until and unless the complete report of the inquiry is received.