Laid-back official's reprieve short-lived

HYDERABAD: The controversy over the reinstatement of suspended assistant medical officer of the medical and health department who was on deputation to the Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad, was put in the can Thursday when the order reinstating him was withdrawn.
Assistant medical officer (AMHO) Dr V Rajashekar was suspended by chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu October last for his ''irresponsible'' behaviour during surprise visit as part of the clean and green drive.
When pulled up by Naidu for not getting garbage cleared from the road, the AMHO replied that he had got it cleaned just the previous evening and someone had dumped garbage again.
An angry Naidu said the matter would be inquired and if the official was proved right, would be promoted or else would be dismissed. As the official fumbled, Naidu ordered his suspension and was sent back to the medical and health department.
According to an MCR official, Circle 3 employees were happy with him being sent back as he never got along well with them during his tenure. Dr Rajashekar took this as a prestige issue and tried his best to return to the same post.
As luck would have it, the Department of Medical and Health withdrew the inquiry against him in May 2003 and since then, Rajashekar worked single-mindedly to get back to Circle 3. Finally, he got the DMH to give him the post last week.
This sparked off a strong protest from the MCH workers union. They staged a dharna at the MCH office on Wednesday seeking reversal of the order. With the MCH also none too interested in having him back, they rejected his posting and conveyed to the health department.