SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Government on Monday said it will order an enquiry into the alleged swindling of Rs 1.73 crore to clear ‘fictitious’ bills at the close of financial year on March 31, 2016 in Government Medical College (GMC) Hospital, Jammu.
Replying to the issue raised by Choudhary Mohammad Akram, G. M Saroori, Vikar Rasool Wani, Deldan Namgial, Asgar Ali Karbalaie and Gulzar Ahmad Wani in the Legislative Assembly, Minister for Health and Medical Education Bali Bhagat said the government will enquire into these allegations and submit a report within two days.
Referring to a news report published in STATE TIMES, MLA Akram said GMC Hospital, Jammu has diverted Rs 1.73 crore, allocated for procuring medicines for Below Poverty Level (BPL) patients and to purchase various medical equipments, to another head. He said it was done to clear ‘fictitious’ bills in the last fiscal year.
Minister for Health and Medical Education Bali Bhagat said that the issue raised by members in the House regarding drawl of fake medical bills by the Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu officials would be inquired into.
In another issue regarding death of a woman namely Naseema wife of Saif-ud-Din in the Hospital at Karnah, raised by Raja Manzoor Ahmad, the Health Minister said that in this regard the factual position would be sought from the concerned functionaries and matter would be inquired thoroughly. He assured that action would be taken against the erring Doctor / para medical staff if found involved in this regard. Raja Manzoor also urged filling up of vacant posts of doctors in the health institutions of Karnah Tehsil.
In GMC Jammu issue the STATE TIMES had reported that the inquiry ordered into alleged misappropriation of funds was shelved, reportedly at the behest of ‘some unscrupulous elements’ in lieu of huge consideration. The whistle blower, Deputy Director Planning, who had been co-opted as a member of the inquiry panel, was relieved by Principal, GMC unceremoniously. The other members of the committee included Assistant Director Planning and Medical Superintendent GMC Dr Ram Ratan Paul.
The misappropriated funds, according to sources, were put at the disposal of the GMC to procure medicines and other equipments ahead of the inspection of a team of Medical Council of India. Sources had informed that the inquiry panel, constituted by the Commissioner Secretary Health Dr M. K Bhandari virtually became infructuous. The blatant diversion of funds had evoked strong resentment among a section of faculty, who want the matter to be investigated, either by Crime Branch or the State Vigilance Organization.