GMC sought probe in seven days, but no word from panel even after a month

AMRITSAR: A committee constituted by the Government Medical College to probe allegations of purchase of two operation theatres at a price of Rs 59.85 lakh, which were available in the market for just Rs 18.50 lakh, is yet to submit its report even after a month.

The Government Medical College in Amritsar. PHOTO: RK SONI

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, March 12

A committee constituted by the Government Medical College to probe allegations of purchase of two operation theatres at a price of Rs 59.85 lakh, which were available in the market for just Rs 18.50 lakh, is yet to submit its report even after a month.

The committee was constituted by the principal of Government Medical College Dr Barinderpal Singh Bal on February 8. The principal had ordered the three-member committee to probe the allegations and submit the report within seven days.

However, even after more than a month, there is no word from the committee members. Meanwhile, Ravinder Sultanwind, who had filed the complaint with the college and alleged that more than the market price was paid for the tables, alleged that investigation is deliberately being slowed down to save the officials guilty of scam.

The three-member committee includes Dr Ram Sarup Sharma, Medical Superintendent of Guru Nanak Dev hospital, Dr HS Sohal, Head of Orthopaedics Department and Dr Jaswant Rai - Head of Pharmacology Department.

The college had spent Rs 59.85 lakh for two operating theatre (OT) tables for the Orthopaedic Department in March 2015. Till date, these have not been put to use as they do not function properly. Two months after the tables were shifted to the Orthopaedic Department in July 2015, doctors had written a letter to the principal stating that these tables were not functioning properly.

Sultanwind said the probe must be completed at the earliest so that persons responsible for wasting public money could be punished. He stated that he has also asked about the inquiry report through an RTI application but it has not been replied to even after a month’s time.