Ranchi: According to a viral letter pad doing the rounds on social media, Jharkhand’s State Health Minister, Banna Gupta, has unexpectedly stirred up controversy by personally reinstating the Secretary of his department.
Minister Banna Gupta’s letter states that IAS Alok Trivedi, who is now the Campaign Director, will take on further duties as the Health Department Secretary until further directives.
Concerned by the action, former minister and MLA Saryu Roy said on social media, “Your respected Congress Minister Banna Gupta has issued a memorandum notification, which is incorrect,” in an address to Chief Minister Hemant Soren. Call it off right now. The Chief Minister is the only one with this authority. The Chief Secretary is given this ad hoc authority by the Executive Rules, but only for a maximum of 30 days.
IAS Alok Trivedi may decide not to assume leadership as Health Secretary in the absence of an official personnel notification, according to sources. The minister’s letter pad is called into question, and it is suggested that it cannot be regarded as an official government directive.
After Arun Kumar retired on December 31, 2023, the post of Health Secretary became vacant. The charge was personally given to IAS Alok Trivedi by Health Minister Banna Gupta, a decision that has drawn criticism. However, Minister Gupta disputes the appointment’s validity, saying that such acts are improper.