SHILLONG: The Estimates Committee of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly headed by former Chief Minister D.D. Lapang has revealed large financial irregularities in the Health and Family Welfare department.
The report of the Committee which was tabled before the Assembly on Wednesday said that the project related to setting up an infertility centre at a cost of Rs 2.14 crore at Ganesh Das Hospital, Shillong was delayed.
The report said that even though all tendering process for installation, design and setting up of the centre was completed in 2013 and the project assigned to one M/s Sanbha Medicals, Umsohsun, the work has not yet stated. The reason given is delay in issuing feasibility report and work order to the contractor from the competent authority.
The report also details the procurement of medicines by National Rural Health Mission Meghalaya without requirement and without coordinating with the DHS (MI) that led to medicines valued at Rs 4.03 crore losing their shelf life due to overstocking.
The committee felt that it is rather unfortunate that such wastage of money occurred only because of the lack of responsibility and accountability on the part of the department.
The report said that the Committee did not received satisfactory reply as everyone in the department was trying to avoid taking responsibility.
The committee in its report also revealed that the Hospital Management Society of Shillong Civil Hospital failed to impose penalty of Rs 32.28 lakh on a firm for default in supplying all the equipment. It also kept a fund of Rs 1.99 crore idle for over a year besides depriving patients the benefit of the dialysis unit by way of inordinate delay in identification of suitable space for installation of the unit.
The Committee also revealed that an MRI machine costing around Rs 5.17 crore and installed at the Shillong Civil Hospital is no longer functional since October 12, 2015 and the engineers from the company refused to come and repair the machine as full payment of the cost of the machine was not made to the company.
The Committee also observed that there has been slackness from all sides in the Health department.
According to the Committee, at the official level, there is lack of efficiency, sincerity, responsibility and proper coordination leading to enormous wastage of public money.
The Committee wanted all assurances to be fulfilled within a specific time framed failing which the Committee will recommend for departmental inquiry.
PHED slammed for delay in completion of water supply schemes
Meanwhile, the Estimates Committee also slammed the PHE department over the delay in commissioning of the Umlyngka Water Supply Scheme.
The report said that the Committee made an appraisal of the status report submitted by the PHE and has objected to the reasons for delay given by the department on the water supply scheme blaming the Dorbar Shnong, because a letter has been received from the Dorbar Shnong refuting the charge.
The Committee went on to make oral examinations of the officers of the PHE department and observed that there has been inordinate delay and it was observed that the work was undertaken on a war footing only after the intervention of the Committee.
The department was also instructed to send all information directly to the Committee which also sought information on water supply schemes in Garo Hills.
Questions were also raised on the Nongstoin Water Supply Scheme which was started two years ago and the department informed that the work on the Nongstoin Water Supply Scheme was stalled due to lack of funds.
No information was supplied till the filing of the report to the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly on the status of the Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme.
The Committee said there is lack of check and balance and lack of planning in the matter relating to administration of the PHED in implementing schemes.
The Committee also said that departmental action is required to fix responsibility on those involved in the implementation of the schemes as the department is linked to the health of the general public of the State.
