Irregular medical purchase lands AIIMS director in trouble

New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) claimed that a senior doctor and the director of AIIMS were responsible for the irregular purchase of medical supplies. CBI made the accusations in its submitted verification report

The CBI mentioned in a 'self-contained note' given to the Ministry of Health and Welfare's Chief Vigilance Officer that AIIMS may take action, 'as deemed fit' against Dr Amit Gupta, additional professor and Dr MC Misra, the head of surgery department at Apex Trauma Centre AIIMS who is now AIIMS director.

The then CVO of AIIMS Sanjiv Chaturvedi had alleged criminal misconduct by Assistance Store Officer TR Mahajan at JPNA Trauma Centre, AIIMS, and by Dr Amit Gupta in the purchase of two items, fogging solution and disinfectants, from companies whose sole distributor was a firm owned by the son and daughter-in-law of the store officer.

The complaint also stated that the purchases were made by avoiding the General Financial Rules (GFR) provisions and inspiring the provisions relating to proprietary items.

"Dr Amit Gupta signed the proprietary certificate dated 6th November 2012 in respect to Cleanex Floor Disinfectant and another propriety certificate dated 14th March 2013 in respect of Ultrasan Aerox Fogging Solution. However, these certificates which were initially for one-time purchase were repeatedly used by the store officer for placing repeat orders without going through any tendering process or a fresh Proprietary Certificate," the verification report of the CBI stated.

"The store officer used the proprietary certificate of Dr Amit Gupta repeatedly to obtain approval of the head of the department, Dr MC Misra, who didn't object to the same," it further stated.

They also observed errors during the verification of Dr Misra and Dr Gupta due to the misconduct done by the store officer.

"Dr Amit Gupta declared Cleanex Floor Disinfectant and Aerox Fogging Solution, products of Aspetix Netherlands as proprietary in nature in an ad hoc manner without adequate care and purchases were made in spite of the existing rate contract of the main hospital. Dr MC Misra approved the use of the aforesaid proprietary certificate for repeated purchases without due diligence," the report states.

"AIIMS has zero tolerance for corruption. Statutory compliances of CVC guidelines are being ensured. Timely audit of all procurement is being done. A joint secretary in the ministry holds charge of the post of CVO, AIIMS. The institute has a strong commitment for a transparent and clean administration. The CVO has not pointed out any procedural lapses in the handling of corruption cases. The institute has also submitted its replies to the Delhi HC on the case.", Dr Amit Gupta, spokesperson of AIIMS assured.(inputs from agencies)