The joint director of health services of Dibrugarh district, Udayan Kumar Baruah has been suspended by the state government for dereliction of duty amid the COVID-19 crisis.
Baruah has been suspended after the state government came to know that he had been out of the headquarters without availing permission from the deputy commissioner of Dibrugarh and other competent authorities since April 12.
Baruah was also absent during the review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Wednesday in the district which was attended by the chief secretary.
In view of the gross misconduct, Udayan Kumar Baruah was placedunder suspension under Section 6(1) of the Assam Services (Discipline andAppeal) Rules, 1964 with immediate effect pending departmental proceedings videan order issued by the commissioner secretary to the Government of Assam,Health and Family Welfare Department.
The suspension letter mentioned that being the head of the health care in the district, the responsibility for managing all COVID-19 care-related arrangements lies on him and his absence has put the entire health system to risk and innocent lives to danger.
Following the suspension of Baruah and in the interest of public service and in view of the emergent situation of COVID-19 pandemic, the sub-divisional medical officer, Dibrugarh Nabajyoti Gogoi was asked to take charge as joint director of Health Services, Dibrugarh unilaterally along with financial powers until further orders.
