Srinagar, July 17: The government appointed special audit team has noted several discrepancies, including financial loss to exchequer at Medical Block Beerwah in central Kashmir’s Budgam district.
 The report, a copy of which lies with Greater Kashmir, states that Block Medical Officer (BMO) Beerwah has been drawing salary in-excess to the sanctioned staff strength under its domain. It has been found that the block has only 89 sanctioned posts while salary was being drawn against 101 posts.
Questioning BMO for appointing class-IV employees, it said that the appointments made were beyond his competence.
The report has castigated the Chief Medical Officer Budgam for not seeking records and alteration of establishment in Beerwah. “No half yearly employment return was sought from the BMO Beerwah which would have informed the CMO about the further appointments of class IV. The reason for their appointment with the approval of the competent authority is to be intimated and justified to audit,” it said. 
Sources said that several of the appointees have been provided “fake appointments letters” and orders with “forged” signatures and gross discrepancies are clearly visible. 
One Abdul Jabbar Dar of Lawaypora was appointed as class IV employee in the pay scale of Rs 2550- 3200. The order SDH/B 1386-88 dated November 18, 2004 was signed by  the BMO Beerwah and a copy of it was forwarded to CMO Budgam as well. 
The service book was also prepared and duly signed by the BMO instead of Drawing and Disbursement Officer.
In another instance, Latif Ahmad Dar of Wanihama Beerwah was appointed as consolidated Safaiwallah in block Beerwah on June 17, 2003. An order issued by the CMO office shows his appointment as Class IV employee 5-days prior to being elevated as ‘graded Safaiwallah’.
On June 30, 2006 the CMO ordered his placement as ‘graded Safaiwallah’ in block Beerwah vide order no CMOB/3248-50.
Interestingly, he was adjusted as class IV employee at PHC Aripathan on June 25, 2006 vide order CMOB/4212-13, which clearly reveals the fraud.
Appointment of consolidated safaiwallahs
The report also indicted that exceeding number of consolidated and part time safaiwallahs were employed in the block. It reads that despite having regular sweepers at each institution, the BMO has engaged 24 additional sweepers on consolidated basis and 14 part time sweepers without seeking approval from the competent authority.
“Each institution of your block has at least one sweeper on regular establishment. The need of engagement of further 24 sweepers (consolidated) needs justification. Also engagement of 14 part time sweepers @ Rs 500 per month, their need, duties and orders of competent authority be justified,” states the report.
 The audit report also pointed out that BMO without competence has re-appropriated funds of its own.
Despite repeated attempts, no official from Health department was contacted.
Personal Assistant of Minister for Health and Family welfare Sham Lal Sharma said that he is not available.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 17 Jul 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 17 Jul 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 18 Jul 2011 00:00:00 IST