Ex-NRC Coordinator of Assam, Hazela removed from health deptt of MP for “negligence”

April 2: Prateek Hajela, former coordinator for National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam, has been removed from his new role as Health Commissioner of Madhya Pradesh amid the Covid-19 pandemic. As per reports, the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government on Wednesday removed Health Commissioner Prateek Hajela from his post for “showing grave negligence towards his duties” at the time of the COVID-19.

Principal Secretary Faiz Ahmed Kidwai was given charge of Health Commissioner in addition to his current responsibilities. His transfer coincides with a surge in positive coronavirus cases from Indore. Of the 86 positive cases and six deaths in the state, Indore accounts for 63 cases and three deaths.

As NRC coordinator for Assam, Hajela had also earned the anger of the BJP and the party-led government in the state. Last year, the Supreme Court had asked the Centre to transfer Hajela from Assam to Madhya Pradesh. Hajela, a 1995-batch Indian Administrative Service officer of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre, was involved in the task of updating the NRC since September 2013.