LAHORE: The Punjab Chief Secretary has rejected the appeal of Dr Syed Nauman Matloob against the orders of the specialised healthcare and medical education (SHME) department regarding his removal from the post of the medical superintendent of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital on administrative grounds. `No civil servant has avested rightforposting ofhis own choice,` observed the chief secretary while declaring the appeal was devoid of merit and not coveredunderthe rules.

According to an order issued by SHME department on Wednesday, Dr Nauman had filed an appeal with the chief secretary, contending that on account of excellentperformance he was promoted to BS-20 and posted as the medical superintendent of the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital on Dec 12, 2015.

Dr Nauman contended that he was transferred before completion of his tenure without any reason while praying that the impugned order transferring him might be set aside in the interest of justice.

The chief secretary observed that under Section 9 of the Punjab Civil Servants Act 1974, every civil servant would be liable to serve anywhere within or outside the province against any post.

Dr Nauman was asked to report to the department on Aug 18 this year in the light of a preliminary probe conducted by internal audit wing director of the department that accused him of having committed 15 irregularities whilegranting extension in the contract of the hospital`s canteen.

Against his transfer, Dr Nauman filed an appeal in the Punjab Service Tribunal which was disposed of on Sept 15 with the direction to the chiefsecretary to decide the representation of the appellant `before or within the statutory period as given in the law and in the light of policy without being prejudiced of any of the observations passed in this appeal on merit.

After examining the record and material available in the case file and after hearing Dr Nauman in person and listening to the representative of the SHME department, the chief secretary was of the view that the officer (Dr Nauman) processed the contract of canteen for the year 2015-16 without following the procedures laid down inPublic Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPR A).

Moreover, observed the chief secretary, Dr Nauman extended thecontractofcanteenforthe year 2016-17 without following the PPRA guidelines for which he (Dr Nauman) was not competent.

Under the Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability (PEEDA) Act 2006, an inquiry has been initiated against Dr Nauman with the approval of the competent authority. The Chief Secretary observed that if Dr Nauman remained the medical superintendent of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, `he may tamper with the record or may destroy it altogether.

For fair and impartial inquiry, transfer of Dr Nauman from the post of medical superintendent was essential,` ruled the chief secretary.