KAS Officer Asha Parveen Transferred From Kidwai Hospital After Flagging Corruption

Senior KAS officer Asha Parveen has been transferred from her post as Chief Administrative Officer of the Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology in Bengaluru to the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB). The transfer, which occurred within two months of Parveen submitting a detailed report to the Karnataka government alleging corruption and administrative lapses at the hospital, has drawn sharp criticism from public representatives and activists.

During her tenure at the Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Parveen investigated alleged malpractices and prepared reports based on evidence. Department sources indicated that the alleged irregularities occurred in several key areas, including purchases, manpower management, the tender process, and the appointment of doctors to the institute. Despite these issues being flagged from time to time, departmental sources noted that no action had been taken.

This is not the first time Parveen has faced a transfer after reporting irregularities. She was previously transferred from Victoria Hospital after submitting documents concerning alleged corruption in its nephrology department. After taking charge at Kidwai Hospital, she continued her investigations into malpractices.

The transfer has raised concerns among critics and activists regarding the state government's commitment to fighting corruption. Critics pointed out that while Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has repeatedly stated that corruption will not be tolerated, the transfer of an officer who brought irregularities to light contradicts this stance. Public representatives and activists are now demanding that the government conduct a detailed inquiry into the allegations at Kidwai Hospital, including issues from previous administrations, and examine the reports submitted by Parveen.

Furthermore, the Justice D’Cunha committee had previously conducted a detailed probe into the institution and submitted a report with a list of recommendations to the government, which has not yet been implemented.

The Karnataka government has not publicly clarified whether the transfer was a routine administrative decision. Parveen declined to comment on the transfer itself but stated that she is going to challenge her transfer in the High Court.