A controversy has erupted over a purported telephonic conversation between a Haryana Minister and a chief medical officer with the woman doctor alleging that he used "harsh words" against her.
Kuruskhetra Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Vandana Bhatia, with around 30 years of government service, allegedly recorded and circulated in CD the three-and-a-half minutes' talk with the minister where the latter is heard purportedly asking "whether she is a doctor or a person who reared animals..."
After the conversation, Minister of State for Women and Child Welfare Krishan Kumar Bedi took up the matter with Health Minister Anil Vij, who had recommended the complaint to the Chief Minister seeking action against the doctor.
After the cabinet meeting here this evening, Finance Minister Abhimanyu, however, said the issue did not figure in the meeting since "it is an administrative matter and will be dealt accordingly."
An official spokesman also denied reports that the CMO had been suspended. Additional Chief Secretary Health Ram Niwas told PTI that the issue had not yet reached him.
Health Minister Vij had on Wednesday recommended to the Chief Minister that action be initiated against the doctor as he had been receiving several complaints against her.
Dr Bhatia was transferred to Kurukshetra from Karnal a month back after Vij, following an inspection of the civil hospital in Karnal, pulled her up for alleged poor upkeep and bad condition of overhead water tanks.
Dr Bhatia too had sent a CD of the recorded conversation with the minister to the higher officials of the Health Department, alleging that Bedi had misbehaved with her.
As per the recorded conversation, the minister started the conversation with a complaint that the CMO did not pick up his earlier telephone calls made to discuss various issues of the district, but soon made "harsh comments" when the CMO kept insisting the minister to be specific on what kind of work he wanted her to do.
While the minister's mobile remained off, Dr Bhatia said she could not say what prompted the minister to use such "harsh words" against her.
