Health Ministry sent full details to PMO on CVO controversy: Harsh Vardhan

NEW DELHI: Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan today denied reports that the Prime Minister's Office sought a report on the controversy surrounding the removal of IFS officer Sanjiv Chaturvedi as the CVO of AIIMS, saying it was his ministry that had sent details over the issue.

"No, it has never been sought from us, but we have given the details to the Prime Minister's Office fully," he replied to a question on whether the PMO sought a report over the controversy.

He was briefing the media on the sidelines of a meeting of state health secretaries organised at the AIIMS premises here.

Vardhan's statement comes amid media reports that Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought a report about the relieving of Chaturvedi, who was the Central Vigilance Officer (CVO) of AIIMS, following which, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare sent a detailed note to the PMO.

It may be recalled that Chaturvedi was removed from his post in August this year. His tenure as CVO was to have lasted till June, 2016.

Chaturvedi is a 2002-batch Indian Forest Service officer, who has a reputation for being a whistleblower in his parent state of Haryana.