Non-payment of bills amounting to Rs 70,000 the cause
The district health authorities are facing a piquant situation following refusal of a petrol pump owner to supply fuel to the department for the last four days.
The petrol pump owner has asked the department to settle its previous dues before making further supply. While this has affected the anti-quack raids and other inspection programmes of the CMO, some other senior medical officers are 'apparently' enjoying this short break from making tiresome journey to rural areas in this hot and humid summer.
According to official sources the Janta Petrol Pump on Noorullah Road in Khuldabad area abruptly stopped petrol and diesel supply to the vehicles of CMO office four days ago due to non-payment of bills. The petrol pump owner reportedly wants the department to settle the dues amounting to Rs 70,000, pending since the last pulse polio drive.
"The petrol pump owner is upset over the fact that despite an advance release of funds for polio immunisation programme, the department has failed to settle dues of the last pulse polio drive, held from May 21 to 27. Consequently the petrol pump owner has refused to make further supply of fuel to the vehicles of CMO office," said a senior staff posted at the CMO, on condition of anonymity.
However, this has affected many routine programmes of the CMO office. Reportedly the CMO had to postpone anti-quack raid on Sunday due to fuel problem. About 10 to 15 vehicles of the health department used for different health programmes have also become immobile due to the same factor.
{{/usCountry}}However, this has affected many routine programmes of the CMO office. Reportedly the CMO had to postpone anti-quack raid on Sunday due to fuel problem. About 10 to 15 vehicles of the health department used for different health programmes have also become immobile due to the same factor.
{{/usCountry}}On being contacted the vehicle maintenance and fuel incharge Dr VK Mishra said they were facing some inconvenience due to refusal of the petrol pump owner to supply fuel to the department, about four days back. But the vehicles used for RCH and family planning camps were still running as the department has made alternative arrangements from other petrol pumps. "The cash payment is being made for petrol and diesel for vehicles deputed for the RCH camps. The fuel has also been arranged for three ambulances and two jeeps of the district epidemic cell. Moreover the petrol pump's dues will be settled soon," he added.
CMO Dr Shantimal Singhavi termed all this as a gimmick of the petrol pump owner to immediately get the payment from the health department.
"The polio drive money has already been received and will be soon released to the petrol pump owner. As of now there is no crisis of the fuel," he further claimed.