PGI probe: Vigilance submits final report

THE PROBE genie is out again. The final report of a Vigilance probe into anomalies at the SGPGIMS has reportedly been submitted to the State Government.

In the report, the Vigilance Establishment has included several charges of anomalies during the tenure of Prof Mahendra Bhandari as director of the institute. The probe initially had 23 points.

The charges include irregular purchase of computers in connivance with the finance officer, irregularities in account books and maintaining balance sheets, undue promotions and favouritism in salary increment to staff close to the director, use of external agencies for contract work instead of floating tenders and excessive and unwarranted expenses on the campus.

The Vigilance Establishment has already submitted its findings on 18 allegations in two successive interim reports. It had recommended to the State Government to look into the possibility of registering cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act, in connection with some of the charges.

The final report recommended that the government should consider recovery from employees who benefited directly from creation of irrelevant posts.

Moreover, cases should be registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act with regard to such anomalies, it was suggested.

The report clearly mentioned that sections 24 (1) and (2) of the SGPGIMS Act were violated in maintaining funds that were given to the institute by the State. A special audit cell should investigate further into the matter of misuse of funds, it said.

Bungling was also detected in the Hospital Revolving Fund (HRF). Established with the approval of the Governing Body on June 30, 1997, the operational motto of the HRF was ‘Mission Supply All’ ie. to ensure round-the-clock availability of quality drugs and consumables at reasonable prices. It worked on the principle of self-sustainability.

The open probe had 23 points in all and the first interim report was submitted on July 29, 2005 and the second on January 18, 2006.

The final report was submitted to the State in the first week of April 2006, on 20 points.