MLA alleges scam at de-addiction centre

Gurminder Singh Grewal

Samrala/Khanna August 12

Questions were raised over working of the drug de-addiction centre at Samrala when the MLA from Ludhiana, Simrajit Singh Bains, stormed into the Samrala Civil Hospital on Friday. He alleged that there was a scam in de-addiction medicines distributed at the centre located in the hospital. He also presented some proofs in this regard and demanded a Vigilance enquiry into the matter.

The MLA even threatened to raise the issue in Assembly and hold a sit-in if the Vigilance enquiry was not ordered without any delay.

As MLA and his team came to the drug de-addiction centre in the hospital, the Samrala SMO, Dr Sudesh Kumar, along with in charge, Dr Sudha Vasudev, also reached the venue. The MLA presented a photocopy of centre record register to them, which showed difference in entries with another register, shown by Dr Sudha.

Bains alleged, “This time there is a scam in drug de-addiction medicines. These are sold outside by showing forged receipts.” He presented a receipt of Jaskaran Singh for Rs 1,030 while on the government record the receipt showed only Rs 530. Jaskaran paid more for medicines at the centre, but was given a receipt showing a less amount. The centre in charge failed to give any answer to MLA’s inquiry.

Another file No. 2000 showed de-addiction drugs given to Mohan Singh, who said that he had taken tablets of mental tension, but his name was mentioned against de-addiction drugs. Mohan said he it was wrong as he had never consumed drugs.

Bains alleged that count of tablets shown as given to patients, who were drug addicts, but actually they were never hooked to drugs. He said these drugs, which were supplied to government hospitals at very low rates, were sold outside centres on high profits. He added that the previous register was changed by officials concerned. Photocopies of the register presented by him were different from present register, he said. Alleging there was a big scam the MLA vowed to bring the matter in front of the people.

Meanwhile, Dr Sudha expressed ignorance about photocopies in possession of the MLA. She said there was nothing wrong in her record. While refuting all allegations of any scam she said, “I am right in every way.”

Chequered past

The in charge of the de-addiction centre has a controversial past. A case was registered against her at the Mullanpur police station. As many as 18,500 tablets used in government hospitals for drug de-addiction were recovered from her private centre. That time SHO, Inspector Harjinder Singh Bhagowal, confirmed that a case was registered against Dr Sudha on December 19, 2014. Meanwhile, the Health Department is yet to give approval to present a challan of Dr Sudha. When contacted, the Mullanpur Dakha DSP, Jasmeet Singh, said they had written to the Health Department twice for approval, which was still awaited to present the challan.