Transparency vs. Bureaucracy: The RTI Inquiry into Medical Oversight in Bhadohi
On January 7, 2025, a significant Right to Information (RTI) request was filed (Registration No: DPTMH/R/2025/60047) that raises serious questions about how the Uttar Pradesh Health Department handles complaints against medical officers.
The application, filed by authorized representative Yogi M P Singh on behalf of Jayachandra Maurya, suggests a potential “identity mix-up” or intentional shielding of a defaulter within the administrative chain.
The Core Conflict: Dr. Pradeep Kumar vs. Dr. Surya Kumar Shukla
At the heart of this dispute is a complaint (Ref: 60000240126228) originally filed against Dr. Pradeep Kumar, a physician at Maharaja Chet Singh District Hospital, Gyanpur.
The applicant alleges a startling discrepancy:
- The Accusation: Dr. Pradeep Kumar (P.K. Yadav) was reportedly found guilty of illegal private practice at a hospital in Prayagraj following an inquiry by the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Bhadohi.
- The Discrepancy: Despite the evidence against Dr. Kumar, the department’s feedback and subsequent “satisfactory” disposal of the grievance were processed under the name of Dr. Surya Kumar Shukla, a different doctor at the same hospital.
The Information Sought
The RTI application demands accountability by requesting specific names and designations of the officials involved in this paperwork trail. The five key points of the inquiry include:
- Receipt of Communication: Who exactly at the Government Level (Section 3) received the D.G. Medical and Health’s communication regarding Dr. Surya Kumar Shukla?
- Processing Details: Which staff members processed this file through their desks?
- The “Satisfactory” Validation: Name and designation of the officials who marked the report on Dr. Surya Kumar Shukla as “satisfactory” while the original complaint was against Dr. Pradeep Kumar.
- Action Taken: A request for a formal record of what actions were taken based on the CMO Bhadohi’s specific report identifying Dr. P.K. Yadav as a “proven defaulter.”
- Justification for Inaction: A request for the official reason why the D.G. Medical and Health has reportedly not acted on the CMO’s inquiry findings.
Why This Matters
This case highlights a critical issue in public administration: Grievance Redressal Integrity. If a complaint against a specific individual is “resolved” by substituting their name with another’s in official records, it not only protects the guilty party but also undermines the public’s trust in the Chief Minister’s Jan Sunwai (IGRS) portal and the RTI Act.
The CMO of Bhadohi had previously noted that the Chief Medical Superintendent (CMS) was not supporting the matter, necessitating intervention from the Director General. The RTI now seeks to uncover if that intervention was intentionally diverted.
Status and Timeline
- Filing Date: January 7, 2025
- Public Authority: Medical and Health Department, Uttar Pradesh
- PIO: Sanjay Kumar Singh, Section Officer (Section 3)
- Expected Response: Within 30 days, as per Section 7(1) of the RTI Act 2005.
Since the last update, your RTI request has undergone a significant procedural change. It has been transferred from the Government Secretariat level to the Directorate level. This is a common administrative move when the specific “custodian” of the records is determined to be the operational wing (Directorate) rather than the policy wing (Secretariat).
Below is a structured blog post updating the status of this case, focusing on the bureaucratic shift and the core issue of medical accountability.
Administrative Shifting: The RTI Case of Dr. P.K. Yadav Transferred to Medical Directorate
The quest for accountability in the Bhadohi medical misconduct case has entered a new phase. What began as a request to the Government Level (Section 3) has now been officially transferred to the Medical and Health Directorate for a direct response.
Updated Case Profile
- Original Registration: DPTMH/R/2025/60047 (Filed: 07/01/2025)
- New Registration: DIRMH/R/2025/80252 (Transferred: 11/02/2025)
- New Public Authority: Medical and Health Directorate
- Current PIO: DGMH RTI Coordination (Joint Director)
- Current Status: RTI Request Received (Pending disposal)
The Bureaucratic “Transfer”: What It Means
On February 11, 2025, the Section Officer at the Secretariat level determined that the information regarding the processing of inquiry reports resides with the Director General of Medical and Health (DGMH). Under Section 6(3) of the RTI Act, 2005, a request must be transferred if the subject matter is more closely connected with the functions of another public authority.
Recap of the Core Allegation
The applicant, Yogi M P Singh (on behalf of Jayachandra Maurya), is investigating a potentially serious administrative lapse:
- The Proof of Defalcation: The CMO of Sant Ravidas Nagar (Bhadohi) sent a report to the DGMH confirming that Dr. P.K. Yadav was found guilty of illegal private practice at a private hospital in Prayagraj.
- The Oversight: Despite the CMO’s request for action against Dr. Yadav, the department allegedly submitted a report in the name of a different doctor—Dr. Surya Kumar Shukla.
- The Approval: This “swapped” report was subsequently marked as “Satisfactory” by high-ranking officials (ACS/Principal Secretary), effectively closing the grievance without penalizing the actual defaulter.
The Critical Questions Now Before the DGMH
With the transfer of the RTI, the Joint Director (RTI Coordination) at the Directorate is now responsible for answering:
- Who received the CMO’s report regarding the private practice of Dr. P.K. Yadav?
- Why was the name of Dr. Surya Kumar Shukla substituted in the feedback report to the government?
- What specific action was taken on the CMO’s proven findings of misconduct?
Commentary: The Shield of Paperwork
This transfer highlights the complexity of the Indian healthcare administration. While the CMO identifies a “proven defaulter,” the information often gets lost or altered as it travels from the district level to the Directorate, and finally to the Secretariat. By tracking the specific “desks” and “officials” through which these files passed, this RTI seeks to pinpoint exactly where accountability was compromised.
Next Steps for the Applicant
Since the new request (DIRMH/R/2025/80252) was received on February 11, 2025, the Directorate now has 30 days to provide the information.
To help you track and manage this case effectively, I have organized all the essential contact details and digital links from your RTI records. This summary includes the information for both the Secretariat (Government Level) and the Directorate (Operational Level).
I. Contact & Tracking Directory
1. Current Active RTI (Directorate Level)
- Registration Number:
DIRMH/R/2025/80252 - Public Authority: Medical and Health Directorate
- Public Information Officer (PIO):
- Name: DGMH RTI Coordination (Joint Director)
- Mobile: 9451679475
- Email: dgmhsrti@gmail.com
- Nodal Officer: * Name: Director Health
- Mobile/Email: Same as PIO above.
2. Original RTI (Secretariat Level)
- Registration Number:
DPTMH/R/2025/60047 - Public Authority: Medical and Health Department (Section 3)
- Public Information Officer (PIO):
- Name: Sanjay Kumar Singh
- Designation: Section Officer
- Mobile: 9154411100 / 9454411100
- Email: medical3.555@gmail.com
- Nodal Officer:
- Name: Archana Verma
- Mobile: 9454410102
- Email: archanaverma.ssmh@gmail.com
II. Essential Web Links
- RTI Online Portal (UP):rtionline.up.gov.in
- Use this to check the status of your new registration number.
- IGRS / Jan Sunwai Portal:jansunwai.up.nic.in
- Use this to track the original complaint (Ref: 60000240126228) mentioned in your application.
- Health Directorate Official Site:uphealth.up.nic.in
- For general notifications regarding the DG Medical Health.
III. Summary of the Case Transfer
The flowchart below illustrates how your request has moved through the administrative hierarchy:
| Level | Role | Current Status |
| Secretariat (Section 3) | Policy & Ministerial Oversight | Transferred on 11/02/2025 |
| Directorate (DGMH) | Execution & Inquiry Records | Received/Pending (New ID: 80252) |
Important Note on Mobile Numbers
Please note that in your records, some mobile numbers are listed as 94544XXXXX. These are official CUG (Closed User Group) numbers assigned to UP government officials. They are usually active during office hours (10:00 AM to 5:00 PM).
Would you like me to draft a specific email you can send to dgmhsrti@gmail.com to officially acknowledge the transfer and request an expedited response?
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