Delhi News: The Delhi government has transferred Health Secretary Rupesh Kumar Thakur from the Health and Family Welfare Department as part of a major bureaucratic reshuffle involving 34 IAS and DANICS officers. The transfer comes nearly two months after Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh issued a show-cause notice to the senior bureaucrat over alleged procurement lapses and subsequently described his response as unsatisfactory.
According to an order issued by the Services Department on October 8, Thakur, a 2006-batch IAS officer, will continue to serve as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB), a position he was holding as an additional charge.
Prashant Goyal, a 1993-batch IAS officer, has been assigned additional charge of the Health and Family Welfare Department. He has also been posted as Additional Chief Secretary (Power), alongside his other responsibilities.
The transfer order does not specify the reason for Thakur’s removal from the Health Department or establish a connection between the administrative decision and the ongoing procurement investigations.
Show-Cause Notice Over Alleged Procurement Lapses
The administrative change comes against the backdrop of scrutiny over the procurement of medicines, surgical supplies and medical equipment for government hospitals in Delhi.
Officials familiar with the matter said Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh had sought a comprehensive procurement action plan from Thakur on May 26, followed by reminders in June and July. The minister subsequently issued a show-cause notice in August after the department allegedly failed to submit the required plan.
In a communication dated August 12, Singh reportedly termed Thakur’s response “wholly unsatisfactory” and sought a revised explanation containing details of procurement rates, taxes, quantities, suppliers and delivery records.
The requested information reportedly covered items such as oral rehydration solution (ORS) sachets, hospital bedsheets and portable X-ray machines.
The minister had also sought an explanation following a complaint alleging that firms named in a 2024 FIR concerning substandard surgical supplies continued to supply government hospitals.
These allegations have placed the department’s procurement procedures under increased scrutiny. However, the allegations should not be treated as established wrongdoing by any individual unless supported by findings from the relevant authorities.
Rs 700-Crore Medical Procurement Case Under Investigation
Separately, the Delhi Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) has been investigating an alleged Rs 700-crore medical procurement scam involving the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) and the Central Procurement Agency.
A chargesheet running to nearly 12,000 pages has reportedly been filed in the case. On September 30, the Delhi government sanctioned the prosecution of three former officials, including former DGHS chief Dr Vatsala Aggarwal.
Thakur has not been named as an accused in the reported ACB case. The October 8 transfer order also makes no reference to the investigation.
The distinction is significant, as the administrative reshuffle and the criminal investigation are separate developments unless authorities establish a direct connection.
Awanish Kumar Appointed Delhi Excise Commissioner
The reshuffle also includes a change in the leadership of the Excise Department, with Awanish Kumar, a 2014-batch IAS officer, appointed as the new Excise Commissioner. He was previously serving as Director of Training and Technical Education.
The position became vacant after Ravi Jha was transferred to Arunachal Pradesh in September.
The appointment comes as the Delhi government prepares to introduce a new liquor policy. The draft policy has been sent to the Centre for approval, with the government aiming to introduce the new framework in October, although a final implementation date has not been announced.
Tourism Portfolio Also Reassigned
In another key change, Arti Lal Sharma, a 2010-batch IAS officer, has been given additional charge of Tourism while continuing as Secretary of Irrigation and Flood Control.
She takes over the portfolio from Niharika Rai, who will continue as Transport Secretary-cum-Commissioner and hold additional charge as Chairperson and Managing Director of the Delhi Transport Corporation.
The reshuffle also covers several other departments, including Power, Food and Civil Supplies, Education and Social Welfare.
The latest administrative changes represent a significant reallocation of responsibilities across the Delhi government, with the Health Department’s leadership change drawing particular attention amid continuing scrutiny of public medical procurement.
