Rupesh Kumar Thakur has been divested of his charge as Delhi Health Secretary, with senior officer Prashant Goyal given additional charge of the department amid an Anti-Corruption Branch probe into an alleged Rs 700-crore medicine and medical equipment procurement scam, officials said on Thursday.
The administrative change comes as the Delhi government examines complaints about the procurement of medical supplies for government hospitals. The Anti-Corruption Branch is investigating allegations connected to the purchase of medicines and medical equipment, including claims involving materials supplied to six government hospitals in the city.
In August, Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh sought an explanation from Thakur over a fresh complaint alleging that some of the 13 companies named in a 2024 First Information Report for supplying “substandard” materials continued to be involved in the procurement and supply of surgical items to government-run hospitals. The report did not specify the outcome of that complaint or the investigation.
Thakur was also issued a show-cause notice over the alleged failure to submit an action plan for pending procurement of medicines, consumables and medical equipment, despite repeated directions. The notice and the minister’s request for an explanation form part of the administrative action reported alongside the reshuffle.
Goyal, a 1993-batch officer, will hold additional charge of the Health Department while continuing with other responsibilities assigned in the reshuffle. He has also been divested of his charge as Additional Chief Secretary of Food and Civil Supplies. Navin Kumar Chaudhary, a 1994-batch officer serving as Additional Chief Secretary of Irrigation and Flood Control, has been given additional charge of Food and Civil Supplies. He will continue to hold charge of the General Administration Department and Irrigation and Flood Control departments.
The changes extend beyond the Health Department. With the expected rollout of Delhi’s new excise policy this month, Awanish Kumar, a 2014-batch officer serving as Director of Training and Technical Education and Higher Education, has been appointed Commissioner of Excise. The previous commissioner, Ravi Jha, was transferred to Arunachal Pradesh last month.
Bipul Pathak, a 1992-batch officer who will continue as Additional Chief Secretary for Social Welfare, SC/ST/OBC and Women and Child Development departments, has also been given additional charge as Financial Commissioner. Niharika Rai, Secretary-cum-Commissioner of Transport, has been relieved of her additional charge as Secretary of Tourism and given additional charge as Chairman and Managing Director of the Delhi Transport Corporation.
The immediate operational significance for Delhi’s public health system lies in the change of leadership while procurement issues remain under scrutiny. The supplied report did not state whether the administrative reshuffle will alter the Anti-Corruption Branch investigation, identify any individuals as accused, or establish liability in the alleged procurement irregularities. Goyal will now take additional charge of the Health Department as the government continues to address pending procurement and related administrative proceedings.
