Govt suspends Dibrugarh Joint Director of Health Services for ‘gross misconduct’

April 16: Assam Government suspended Joint Director of Health Services in Dibrugarh, Assam, Udayan Kumar Baruah for ‘gross misconduct.’ This was notified by the Commissioner Secretary to the Government of Assam, Health and Family Welfare Department on Tuesday. The sub-divisional medical officer, Dibrugarh Nabajyoti Gogoi was asked to take charge as joint director of Health Services, Dibrugarh unilaterally along with financial powers until further orders.

In the said order issued by the Commissioner Secretary, it was stated that Baruah had been out of headquarters without availing permission from the deputy commissioner, Dibrugarh and other competent authorities since April 12. He was also absent during the review meeting chaired by chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal in Dibrugarh on April 13. His absence from duty without information tantamounted to gross negligence and dereliction of duty during the COVID-19 pandemic, stated higher authorities.

In view of the gross misconduct, Udayan Kumar Baruah was placed under suspension under Section 6(1) of the Assam Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1964 with immediate effect pending departmental proceedings.