STATE TIMES NEWS
8Embezzlement in JLNM Hospital
JAMMU: The State Vigilance Commission (SVC) has directed the State Vigilance Organisation (SVO) to register a preliminary enquiry for alleged embezzlement and misuse of Government funds by the Medical Superintendent JLNM Hospital, Srinagar.
Earlier, while proceeding on a complaint against one Dr. Iqbal, Medical Superintendent, JLNM Hospital, Srinagar regarding embezzlement, misuse of Government funds, favouritism and other gross irregularities committed by the aforesaid Doctor while making purchases of different medical equipments viz Video Endoscopy, Blood Analyser, Colour Doppler, Eco Machine etc. worth crores, in the capacity of Medical Superintendent of the said Hospital, the State Vigilance Commission obtained a detailed factual report from the Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir based on scrutiny of records, in light of the allegations levelled in the complaint.
Examination and analysis of the entire record regarding purchases made, prima-facie established the criminal abuse of official position by Dr. Iqbal, Medical Superintendent, JLNM Hospital, Srinagar, while making purchases of various medical equipments for the Hospital by not inviting tenders, not getting approvals from the competent authorities and by going beyond his financial competence delegated to him by the Government, indicative of huge loss to the Government Exchequer.
The State Vigilance Commission has taken serious note of omissions and commissions which amount to criminal breach of trust and misuse of official position on the part of Dr. Iqbal, Medical Superintendent JLNM Hospital, Srinagar and poor administrative supervision exercised by the higher authorities of the Department. The Commission has directed Vigilance Organisation to register a Preliminary Enquiry into the matter, for speedy probe under Criminal Procedure Code and ensuring strict action against all those involved.