3 health officials suspended in Rs 30-lakh fuel scam at Bathinda hospital

The Health Department has suspended three officials, including a senior medical officer, in connection with an alleged 30-lakh fuel scam at the Civil Hospital in Bathinda.

The suspended officials are Dr Gurmail Singh, currently posted as Senior Medical Officer (SMO) in Sunam, Sangrur district, but previously stationed in Bathinda during the period of the alleged irregularities; Sheenam Singla, a junior assistant; and Jagjit Singh, a data entry operator.

Confirming the action, Dr Ramandeep Singla, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Bathinda, said, “Three officials, including former SMO Dr Gurmail Singh, have been suspended over their alleged involvement in the fuel scam. We received the suspension orders today. The Vigilance Bureau is already investigating the matter.”

According to sources, fuel bills were sanctioned for condemned government vehicles and ambulances that were no longer in use. The Vigilance Bureau, acting on complaints of falsified fuel claims and misappropriation of funds, has obtained related records and initiated a probe.

It is learnt that Dr Gurmail was earlier transferred from Bathinda to Sunam following preliminary complaints linked to the scam.