The West Bengal Health and Family Welfare Department has reversed the transfer orders of 42 doctors following widespread protests and public outrage over the recent rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.
Narayan Swaroop Nigam, Principal Secretary of the Health Department, announced the decision at a press conference, emphasizing the need to ensure the continuity of essential healthcare services during the ongoing unrest. “Given the current circumstances, it is crucial to maintain normal operations across all departments. As a result, we have decided to revoke the transfer orders for the time being. Further decisions regarding this matter will be made in the coming days,” Nigam stated.
He clarified that the transfer orders were part of a routine promotional exercise within the Medical Education Service, a process that had been initiated two months prior. The approvals for these transfers, according to Nigam, were granted well before the tragic incident occurred.
“In West Bengal, the promotion and transfer process within the Medical Education Service is a lengthy procedure. This particular exercise began two months ago, with final approvals completed several days prior to the incident. However, due to the necessary checks and verifications, the official publication of the orders may have been delayed,” he explained.
The decision to revoke the transfer orders has sparked criticism from opposition leaders, who accuse the West Bengal government and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of using the orders as a tool to intimidate protesting doctors. They have demanded her resignation, alleging that the move was a deliberate attempt to suppress dissent.
Amit Malviya, head of the BJP’s National Information and Technology Department, criticized the government on social media platform X. “If the West Bengal Health Department is unsure of its actions, Health Minister Mamata Banerjee should resign. Withdrawing the transfer orders of over 40 senior doctors within 24 hours is a sinister tactic. The orders were issued to target protesting doctors and instill fear, and now that they have served their purpose, they have been withdrawn. However, Mamata Banerjee should understand that her attempts to crush the protests through illegitimate means are only fueling public anger,” Malviya wrote.
BJP MP and Union Minister of State Sukanta Majumdar echoed these sentiments, stating on X, “The rapid reversal of transfer orders for protesting doctors is a clear attempt to stifle dissent and instill fear. Such actions only increase public anger, especially when combined with threats from Kolkata Police against those seeking justice online. If she cannot manage the state, she should step down.”
The situation remains tense as the state government navigates the ongoing crisis, with further decisions expected in the coming days.