DC impact: Chennai HC orders probe into allegations against nurse council official
Chennai: Barely a month after Deccan Chronicle’s report about various allegations against Dr G. Josephine R. Little Flower, former registrar of the Tamil Nadu Nurses and Midwives Council and Nursing Adviser (Government of India), the high court has ordered a detailed inquiry. Documents pertaining to the allegations have to be presented before it in 12 weeks.
Having information from the council pertaining to the same, Varaaki, founder and president, Indian Makkal Mandram, filed a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking for a direction to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate the various allegations committed by Dr Little Flower in the Tamil Nadu Nurses’ and Midwives Council between 2003 and 2012, which eventually led to the high court order.
The court asked Centre to form a monitoring committee to regulate the functioning of the nursing training institutions under the control of the Tamil Nadu Nurses’ and Midwives’ Council and legalize the admission of students.
Based on Varaaki’s representation, the court also directed the central government and the Tamil Nadu Nurses’ and Midwives’ Council to initiate an appropriate department enquiry upon Dr Little Flower for her financial irregularities, mal-administration and swindling of funds during the period of her tenure as Registrar and Deputy Registrar of the council.
The court also directed CBI to investigate the matter. “The court has given directions to conduct an inquiry within 12 weeks by giving equal opportunities to everybody and then give a detailed report.
The government now has to take necessary steps,” said Dr Annie Grace, the current registrar of the council.
On April 2, DC had given a detailed report discussing the 22 allegations that had been framed against the former registrar, which included permitting the intake of students for BSc and MSc courses above the number of available seats, conducting meetings without a quorum, and granting permission to run institutions without basic infrastructure facilities.
Quoting DC’s report, Varaaki said, “Due to the allegations against her, she was even ceased from the services of the council. Why then is she continuing to hold the post of nursing advisor in the Indian Nursing Council?”
