Digboi: The inquiry into the alleged fake pharmacist case Assam’s Bogapani Tea Estate has entered a new phase after the Medical Inspector of Plantation (MIP) reportedly found discrepancies in the documents submitted by pharmacist Kameswar Kalita. Kalita resigned while the inquiry was underway.
According to garden sources, the MIP submitted the inquiry report to the estate management on Thursday after examining allegations about Kalita’s qualifications. The report reportedly pointed out discrepancies in the documents he submitted during the inquiry.
Instead of taking immediate disciplinary action, the estate management has given Kalita two months to submit his original educational certificates, Assam Pharmacy Council registration records and other supporting documents to verify his qualifications.
Estate officials said the extension was granted in keeping with the principles of natural justice.
Documents reviewed by this correspondent show that the Association of Registered Pharmacists Assam (ARPA) had written to the estate management months before the inquiry, seeking details of the pharmacists employed at the estate.
On May 29, 2024, ARPA president Dhruba Gogoi emailed the Senior Manager of Bogapani Tea Estate, requesting the names of the pharmacists, their Assam Pharmacy Council registration numbers, addresses, copies of their pharmacy qualification certificates and registration records.
After receiving no response, the association sent a reminder on October 4, 2024.
According to ARPA, both emails went unanswered. The association then sent a formal letter dated December 19, 2024, stating that the lack of response had raised doubts about the pharmacists’ credentials. A copy of the letter was also sent to the Medical Inspector of Plantation.
ARPA has also raised questions about Kalita’s registration with the Assam Pharmacy Council. An office-bearer of the association alleged that Kalita submitted Registration No. 1473 before the Medical Inspector of Plantation.
The association claimed that publicly available records of the Assam Pharmacy Council show the registration number belongs to another person, Shiak Mahamadin.
The Assam Pharmacy Council had not responded to queries on the claim till the filing of this report, and the allegation could not be independently verified.
Kalita resigned while the inquiry into his qualifications was still in progress.
The case has also raised questions about the estate’s recruitment and verification process, particularly over why the concerns raised by ARPA did not reportedly lead to an earlier verification of the pharmacist’s credentials.
When contacted, the Deputy Manager of Bogapani Tea Estate said the local management could not take the final decision.
“We can at best escalate the findings of the Medical Inspector of Plantation to the higher competent authority for a final decision,” he said.
The Garden Superintendent did not issue any official statement despite being contacted.
The estate management has given Kalita two months to submit documents supporting his qualifications.
The final decision will be taken by the competent authority after reviewing the inquiry findings and the documents submitted.