Vet given MBBS officer’s job, HC slams Gwalior civic body

Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh High Court has taken serious note of irregularities in deputation practices at Gwalior Municipal Corporation (GMC), while hearing a case related to appointment of a veterinary doctor as Health Officer — an MBBS-designated post.The court passed an order in response to Writ Petition (WP) No 9096/2024 filed by Dr Anuradha Gupta, who questioned the legality of such appointments and the broader deputation practices within GMC.The petitioner argued that the appointment of Dr Anuj Sharma, a veterinary doctor, to the post of Health Officer is both illegal and absurd, asserting that it amounted to treating Gwalior's residents "like animals". She cited that the post requires an MBBS degree, not a veterinary qualification.Despite being given multiple opportunities, Dr Sharma failed to submit a return. The state govt too did not file a reply, prompting the court to issue strong interim directions. Dr Sharma was immediately relieved of his duties as health officer and ordered to report back to the veterinary hospital in Sagar — or any veterinary post across MP, excluding Gwalior. The court has directed respondents to submit detailed explanations justifying Sharma's deputation and clarifying the procedural violations. The matter has been listed for final disposal on May 2, 2025.During the March 19 hearing, the court was informed that the post of health officer no longer exists and has been redesignated as chief sanitary officer — still requiring an MBBS degree. Dr Sharma, lacking the qualification, was found ineligible. Despite this, the urban administration and housing department initiated his deputation with a no objection certificate (NOC) from the GMC commissioner. Based on that, Dr Sharma was posted.The Court found glaring irregularities in the respondents' returns, calling them "confusing and carelessly prepared," and noted that officials were passing the blame rather than taking responsibility. It criticized the use of deputation to fill non-sanctioned posts and strongly questioned the legitimacy of allowing a veterinary doctor to hold a public health position, particularly amid rising cases of dog bites and sanitation issues in Gwalior. Court observed that Dr Sharma's appointment was against a non-existent post and violated minimum qualification norms. He showed a pattern of being posted preferentially between Gwalior and Sagar, raising suspicions of political interference. The deputation was pushed despite objections from the Director of Animal Husbandry, Dr R K Mehiya. It was found that Additional Commissioner Anil Dubey misled the Court, falsely claiming Sharma was relieved after completing his tenure, when in fact it was due to the Court's interim order.The petitioner presented a document listing 62 officers currently on deputation at GMC, prompting the Court to demand accountability. The Gwalior Municipal Commissioner has been ordered to serve show-cause notices to all 61 officers on deputation, detailing why they shouldn't be repatriated to their parent departments. The court instructed that: GMC must submit a report detailing all deputed officers, their duration of service, and reasons for bypassing regular recruitment. The urban administration department must provide a breakdown of how each deputation was approved, and whether any were in excess of sanctioned posts.Additionally, the Court criticized the attempt by respondents to manipulate terminology around "deputation" to evade responsibility. It clarified that it seeks data only on employees originally appointed under Section 58 of the MP Municipal Corporation Act, not those absorbed or transferred under other classifications. The court ordered the civic body to initiate direct recruitment within 30 days and complete it within eight months. It also held that Dr Sharma's transfer to another veterinary facility — possibly in Alirajpur or Jhabua — must be seriously considered. Expressing dismay over the silence of respondents , the court labeled their inaction "shocking and disturbing," particularly in light of public health concerns in Gwalior. It has warned that if a complete reply is not filed by April 30, 2025, the commissioner may be summoned in person. The court has set the next hearing for May 2, 2025, at 10:30am.http://cuepweblb.timesgroup.com/newsgate/GetImageContent?id=B6830468324Z&subfile=1R&cacheid=0-9&fitid=1#