Corruption Allegations Surface as GMCH Refuses to Disclose Cancer Hospital Inauguration Bills, ETHealthworld
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) has requested the State Cancer Hospital, which operates under the aegis of the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, to produce bills related to its inauguration event on April 27 attended by prominent figures, including Union health minister JP Nadda and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.
GMCH authorities have steadfastly refused to furnish bills amounting to Rs 33.3 lakh, despite requests made under the Right to Information (RTI) Act 2005.
The matter escalated to a first appeal with the DMER on Oct 13, during which the Directorate’s Appellate Authority Dr Shilpa Damkundwar instructed GMCH to present the bills for inspection by Oct 30. The public information officer (PIO) of the State Cancer Hospital failed to comply with this DMER order, leading to a renewed directive to adhere to the RTI Act.
Health activist and former member of the GMCH Abhyagat Samiti, Pravin Shinde, who initially sought the inspection of these bills, has accused GMCH authorities of a “blatant and brazen violation” of the RTI Act. “If there were no corruption and irregularities, it is beyond comprehension why the GMCH administration is reluctant to produce bills for the event,” Shinde stated. “The bills submitted by a private event management firm and approved by GMCH dean Shivaji Sukre are expected to expose large-scale wrongdoings in holding an in-house event that lasted only for half an hour.”
Attempts by TOI to contact serving members of the Abhyagat Samiti for their perspective on the issue were met with refusals. The issue has become a significant talking point within the local health sector.
“The silence of Abhyagat Samiti members raises doubt whether they are colluding with the GMCH authorities in usurping public money meant for patients,” Shinde said. Sukre has previously asserted that a public company responsible for raising the State Cancer Hospital incurred the expenditure and that the VVIPs who attended the event were satisfied with the arrangements.
When contacted, Aravind Gaikwad, PIO and director of the State Cancer Hospital, stated he was on a trip. Local Shiv Sena MLA Pradeep Jaiswal, who heads the Abhyagat Samiti of GMCH, pledged to ask GMCH authorities to maintain transparency in their operations and comply with the DMER order.
