These news’ announcements follow the start of the ICAC investigations. They concern those persons of interest in the Ministry of Health who are, at this point, allegedly involved in the purchase of 999,000 tablets of Molnupiravir for Rs 79,840,080 validated on 7 December last year. Other transfer orders headed ‘Most Immediate’ were served by the PMO.
Early retirement formulated
The Senior Chief Executive (SCE) of the Ministry of Health, Dalida Allagapen, also known as the sister of Minister Alan Ganoo, has requested her early retirement. According to the agreements between her and the ministry concerned, she should have retired by June 2022, at her 65th birthday. She is expected to leave the Ministry at the end of this month. Dalida Allagapen’s name has been mentioned in this case of awarding a contract to CPN Distributors for an “Emergency Procurement” of generic Molnupiravir at a cost of around Rs 80 million. She is expected to be heard by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) soon.
The second case is not around the Molnupiravir scandal. It concerns the Chief Pharmacist, Harry Krishna Bucktowar, who is currently awaiting a hearing at the ICAC in connection with a fraudulent case involving food supplements. He plans to follow in the footsteps of SCE Allagapen and seek early retirement.
Suspensions already in effect
As a result of the ICAC investigations, two people have already been dismissed from their positions as of Wednesday 15. These are two senior officials Parmanand Mawah, Permanent Secretary and Brijendrasing Naeck, Principal Pharmacist. The decision was taken fully during the ICAC investigations, following their involvement in the Molnupiravir case and contract award.
Transfers already validated
Sanctions or useful needs? A transfer order with the heading ‘Most Immediate’ from the Prime Minister’s Office on Wednesday 15, to be processed as a matter of urgency and signed by the Secretary to Cabinet and Head of the Civil Service Nayen Kumar Ballah. This order relates to Zahira Bibi Auladin-Auckbarally, Permanent Secretary Dhanraj Conhye, Acting Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health being transferred to the Ministry of Education. Sooraya Meeajan, Assistant Permanent Secretary has been transferred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Virendra Kumarsing Daby, Senior Chief Executive in the Ministry of SMEs and Cooperatives, has also been transferred to the Ministry of Regional Administration. They took up their new posts on Thursday 16 December.
