The curious case of the sudden removal of AMTZ MD

Visakhapatnam: The removal of the Managing Director (MD) of a state-run company based in Andhra Pradesh has created quite a flutter. The Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AIMED) has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan to look into the sudden removal of Andhra Pradesh Med Tech Zone (AMTZ) MD from the post.

Jitender Sharma, who was serving as AMTZ MD was removed from the post by the government of Andhra Pradesh through an official order on September 11.

The AMTZ MD was known as Medtech Man of India

In a letter addressed to the government, Rajiv Nath, Forum Coordinator of AIMED, asked the Centre to make use of the services of the "very talented" Dr Sharma, who is also called the "Medtech Man of India." Nath added that Sharma played a key role in putting Andhra Pradesh on the global map as a hub for manufacturing medical devices, and his sudden removal is a major setback for the Indian medical device industry.

"Dr Sharma had been instrumental in establishing AMTZ and Kalam Institute of Healthcare Technology which today has made the whole world look upon Andhra Pradesh as an investment destination for the manufacture of medical devices," a press release issued by Nath said.

'Make in India at stake without Sharma'

Nath asserted that Make in Andhra, and Make in India of medical devices is at stake without Sharma. "His team has accomplished the impossible jaw-dropping feat of creating a Med Tech Park on barren land in less than a year. So much so that even the Global Medical Community along with WHO congregated to Vizag to join forces with Dr Sharma and his team," the statement said.

Sharma founded AMTZ from "concept to completion and progress," and had earlier served as the Health Advisor to the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.

Why was he removed?

The official order issued by the government of Andhra Pradesh said that they had no option but to remove Sharma as his name had cropped up in a series of complaints on certain irregularities in the procurement of civil works and equipment in setting up of Med Tech Zone.

"A vigilance enquiry has been ordered into the complaints on irregularities. It is informed by the DG, Vigilance that required documents and files pertaining to tenders are not being made available to Vigilance officials by the incumbent MD & CEO, Med. Tech. Zone.  Similar thing happened when Senior Officials of Medical & Health Department called for the details with regard to procurement," the order said.