Significant financial loss to exchequer
Irfan Tramboo
SRINAGAR, Mar 8: Authorities have attached the Medical Superintendent (MS) of District Hospital Shopian pending inquiry for the mismanagement of hospital affairs which has resulted in a “significant” financial loss to the UT exchequer, particularly in the case of a Fair Price Medical Shop, which has been allowed to function “illegally”, despite the completion of the contract term.
The action has been taken by the Deputy Commissioner, Shopian who has noted that the said officer (MS), being close relative to the owners of the said shop “somehow managed to get the charge of Medical Superintendent, DH Shopian to give undue advantage to his relatives.”
Detailing the case, it has been stated in the order that a fair-price Medical shop was allotted to Amir Medical Store on the premises of District Hospital Shopian on 12.09.2012 as the highest bidder for Rs 51.01 lakh.
“The owner deposited an amount of Rs. 29.50 lakh only and to avoid the payment of the balance amount to the tune of Rs. 21.505 lakh preferred a writ petition before the High Court of J&K at Srinagar, and while filing objections in the said case, the Medical Superintendent DH, Shopian concealed the facts and the offender managed to get a stay order regarding the implementation of the recovery notices served to him.”
The Fair-price shop, as per details, completed its term of five years on 12.09.2017 and the Medical Superintendent nor his predecessors have even bothered to serve merely a single eviction notice till date, “but have been rather allowing running of the shop illegally and unauthorizedly beyond the expiry period.”
It has been stated that as per H&ME, the allotment of Medical shops etc can be extended up to six more years based on performance to be vouched for, by the Medical Superintendent/Chief Medical Officer and duly countersigned by the respective Head of Department i.e. Director Health Service or Principal as the case may be, “but no such procedure has been adopted, instead, the then Medical Superintendent has favoured the illegally run medical shop for being run by a close relative of the present Medical Superintendent, thereby raising conflict of interest.”
The balance amount to the tune of Rs. 21.505 lakh is still pending for deposition amid running the Medical store illegally and unauthorizedly beyond the expiry term without any extension order, thereby causing a huge loss to the Government exchequer.
“To prevent further illegal running of the said business involving precious human lives in government premises, the district administration Shopian attempted to evict the said illegal occupant number of occasions, but the said offender with the assistance of the Medical Superintendent tactfully deceived the Government by preferring writ petitions one after the other before the High Court of J&K and Ladakh at Srinagar and staying the eviction notices on one pretext or the other.”
The Deputy Commissioner has also highlighted that the Jan Aushadi Kendra located in DH, Shopian has become completely defunct under the maladministration of the said Officer.
As per the details which have been given out in the attachment order, the Medical Superintendent, being the estate officer of DH Shopian has never bothered to put the illegal occupant to notice, “thereby helping them to loot the government exchequer.”
The concerned officer has also been directed to explain his position as to why action under the rules may not be initiated against him for not taking any steps to stop the running of the illegal fair-price shop within the premise of District Hospital, Shopian. “The officer has stated that the incumbent MS District Hospital, Shopian has also been arrayed as party respondent at s. no. 06 in WP(C) No. 2911/2022 as such the officer was not able to initiate any proceedings against the illegal occupant.”
But the question is, the order stated, that prior to the issuance of an order dated: 15.12.2022 followed by notice dated: 16.12.2022 by the Executive Magistrate Ist Class Shopian, “why the Medical Superintendent, DH Shopian being the Estate Officer of District Hospital Shopian has not taken any action against the illegal occupant of Fair Price Medical Shop.”
The details note that it came to the fore that the issue of expiry of the contract term in respect of the illegally run Medical shop has never been raised anywhere, “thereby concealed the facts related to the matter which is unbecoming of a government employee and invites disciplinary action against the erring officer.”
Coming down heavily on the officer, the Deputy Commissioner has stated that the failure of the officer to meet the expectations of his role as Medical Superintendent has been documented on several occasions; despite efforts, the officer “has failed to improve and this has had a negative impact on the quality of patient care and management of financial affairs of the institute.”
“The negligence of the officer in the management of hospital resources has resulted in a significant financial loss to the UT exchequer. We take this matter very seriously as it goes against the principles of good governance and the proper use of public resources.”It has been noted that his actions have not only caused financial damage, “but they have also put the health and safety of the patients at risk.”
In the circumstantial background, the order stated, due to his failure to perform duties outlined in his job description and as required by law, pending enquiry into the conduct and performance of the officer, Khalid Abass Medical Superintendent, Shopian is hereby attached and the Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Shopian shall discharge the functions of Medical superintendent DH, Shopian till further orders.
The enquiry committee will have Additional District Magistrate, Shopian, Chief Medical Officer, Shopian, Accounts Officer with Deputy Commissioner, Shopian and District Litigation Officer, Shopian as its members. The committee will submit its report with recommendations within 15 days.
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