For weeks, whispers had circulated through the corridors of the Kannauj Health Department. Complaints—ranging from irregular procurement practices to bribery in hospital licensing—had reportedly reached Lucknow. On Saturday, Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister Brajesh Pathak confirmed that disciplinary action had been ordered against the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Kannauj, following an internal inquiry that found merit in corruption allegations.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Pathak wrote that complaints of “financial irregularities and corruption” in tenders and purchases had been verified after investigation. “Action has been directed against the officer concerned,” he stated, signaling the Yogi Adityanath government’s intention to make an example of administrative misconduct in the state’s healthcare system.
The Allegations: From Bribes to Extortion
According to departmental sources, the scandal runs deeper than procedural negligence. The CMO, identified as Dr. Swadesh Gupta, allegedly demanded illegal payments from clinic and hospital operators in exchange for overlooking violations.
Officials say that unregistered ultrasound centers and clinics were routinely issued “notices” demanding compliance documents, only to have the process quietly dropped once an “under-the-table understanding” was reached. Those unwilling to comply reportedly faced harassment, fines, and shutdown threats.
Whistleblowers claim that even legitimate hospitals were not spared—pressured into paying bribes to continue operating without bureaucratic obstruction.
“It had become a pay-or-perish system,” said one local hospital administrator on condition of anonymity, calling the environment “toxic and transactional.”
Political and Administrative Fallout
The decision to act comes amid the Yogi government’s renewed public commitment to transparency and zero tolerance for corruption. Pathak’s intervention—rarely directed so publicly at a district-level officer—underscores both political pressure and public outrage.
In his social media post, Pathak noted that continuous complaints had forced his hand:
“Complaints of corruption and financial irregularities in tenders and purchases were repeatedly received against the Chief Medical Officer of Kannauj. After inquiry, the allegations were found true. Departmental action has been directed.”
The Uttar Pradesh Health Department has now initiated formal disciplinary proceedings, though officials have not clarified whether the officer will be suspended pending the inquiry.
Systemic Concerns Beyond Kannauj
While the Kannauj case has captured headlines, health governance experts warn that it reflects a broader pattern of systemic rot. Similar accusations of bribery, extortion, and regulatory capture have surfaced in other districts, suggesting a culture where oversight functions are leveraged for personal gain.
For now, the Deputy CM’s swift response signals a political acknowledgment of the problem—and a possible turning point for Uttar Pradesh’s healthcare accountability. But for many in Kannauj, the episode also raises a sobering question: how many more hospitals have paid the price before the system chose to act?
