Health dept suspends Prashanthan from service

Thiruvananthapuram: Health department suspended TV Prashanthan, who claimed to have paid a bribe to ADM Naveen Babu, from service. He was serving as electrical helper grade 2 at Pariyaram medical college.The suspension order issued on Saturday states, "Due to serious allegations against Prashanthan and the recommendation of the investigation team for strict action, it has been suggested to initiate severe disciplinary action against the official and to suspend him from service immediately."According to health department's investigation team, Kannur ADM Naveen Babu's death is linked to Prashanthan's allegations. The investigation conducted at Kannur Pariyaram govt medical college on Oct 23 found that Prashanthan was absent from duty without permission since Oct 10, said the order.Also, the staff member of Kannur govt medical college was involved in unauthorized business activities for personal gain, violating rules and regulations. The investigation team noted these as serious service rule breaches. It is learned that he engaged in paying bribes for personal business activities, a serious breach of service rules, said the order.As a strict disciplinary action for violating service rules, Prashanthan has been suspended from service with immediate effect, it added.The suspension followed the report submitted to govt by the two-member investigation team. The probe team comprised additional chief secretary (health) Rajan Khobragade and joint director of medical education KV Viswanathan. The two-member team visited govt medical college, Kannur, before submitting the report.Earlier, health minister Veena George had said that Prashanthan should be terminated from service and its related steps would be taken. The investigation team recommended govt to seek legal opinion before taking the extreme decision.