MCD overpays Rs 10 cr to employees 'by mistake'

One-hundred and fifty vaccinators were overpaid their salaries by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) — since the salary revision in 2005 — costing taxpayers more than Rs 10 crore, revealed an enquiry conducted by the agency’s chief auditor.

One-hundred and fifty vaccinators were overpaid their salaries by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) — since the salary revision in 2005 — costing taxpayers more than Rs 10 crore, revealed an enquiry conducted by the agency’s chief auditor.

Almost 30 of these vaccinators have already retired, making recovery a distant possibility. MCD has an annual salary budget of Rs 252 crore.

The September 30 order, issued by the deputy chief auditor, RK Jain, a copy of which is with Hindustan Times, says the amount has been “erroneously paid to 150 vaccinators who manipulated an issuance of office order pertaining to the pay revision in 2005…” The financial irregularity came to light during an audit of the district health office accounts, west zone, for the year 2010-011.

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In 1998, Dr S Pattanayak Committee recommended the merger of the agency’s anti-malaria and vaccination staff under the umbrella banner of public health inspectors who would be trained to handle both the duties.

The MCD partially implemented the recommendations, and also mixed up the pay scales. “This kind of pay revision was neither permissible nor acceptable... that resulted into overpayment of R10 crore to these vaccinators,” the audit report said.

“Out-of-turn pay was fixed for some vaccinators, while some got arrears since the time they were recruited. There were quite a few who were of the 1973 batch and are now retired,” said the source in the agency’s public health department.

Jain, in his report, has sought immediate corrective steps to be taken to recover the amount overpaid to the 150 vaccinators (now Public Health Inspectors) in question.

In a letter dated October 4, chairman public health committee, Dr VK Monga, asked MCD commissioner KS Mehra to intervene in the matter so that the amount is recovered at the earliest.

“It shows an erroneous style of functioning... that needs to be corrected,” said the letter.

“It is a mistake, and I am waiting for the commissioner’s response so it’s corrected,” said Dr Monga.