KHALID GUL
Kulgam, June 23: Following complaints regarding alleged fake appointments and large scale bungling of funds in primary health centers of Kulgam block, the State Vigilance Organization raided the office of Block Medical Officer, Kulgam and seized documents pertaining to these illegal appointments
 “Some 40 fake orders have been issued by the authorities in Kulgam block in favor of certain blue eyed persons, posted at different places of the district as paramedics and technicians in lieu of handsome booties and land,” sources disclosed.
 They said last week the Vigilance sleuths raided the BMO office and seized documents pertaining to these appointments.
 Meanwhile, despite liberal funding in favor of these PHCs under the National Rural Health Mission scheme, most of them have failed to live up to the expectations of the rural populace.
 The money meant for the development of the PHC, sources say was not being utilized properly and instead the authorities indulge in large scale misappropriation.
 “Almost all the primary health centers in Kulgam are in a pathetic condition devoid of proper infrastructure and medicinal supply as the funds allotted annually to the PHC goes into the pockets of higher ups and also some clerical staff,” sources said.
 They said the authorities allegedly prepare fake bills for the purchases made for the PHCs and the items were bought at exorbitant rates compared to the market rates.
 Quoting an instance, they said, “The rate of the inverter which was procured at the cost of Rs 20,000 has been fraudulently mentioned at Rs 50,000 in the purchases list while as the rate of digital electronic board bought at Rs 20,000 has been shown as Rs 40,000.”
 Sources said most of the patients were forced to purchase drugs from the market as the supply was meager in these PHCs while as other necessary items were also not been kept available. Besides the scheme of providing nutritional supplements like iron and folic acid to be provided free of cost to the patients, according to the doctors was rarely being implemented.
 The drainage system in almost all seven PHCs of the block including Behibagh, Muhammad Pora, Tarigam, Katrasoo, Bugaam, Puhulu and other sub centers sources say was defunct despite plenty of money being sanctioned by the NRHM for the purpose.
 “There is no transparency in the system and even the annual audit committee is being bribed while the village committee is being deceived by taking their signatures on blank papers,” sources revealed.
 Sources said Rogi Kalyan Society (RKS) funds, meant for the welfare of the patients were not being utilized properly and all the transactions were being done allegedly by the BMO’s office.
 “Though according to the rules, the medical officer of a PHC should be a senior MBBS doctor, but in some of the PHCs, the authorities have appointed BUMS doctor of their liking to support their malpractices and if any doctor dares to raise his voice against them, he is being victimized,” sources revealed.
 Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Altaf Ahmad Beg, who is also the secretary of the district health society here when asked about the fake appointments and embezzlement in funds said, “The SVO had received a complaint regarding the fake appointments and we have already provided them all the necessary information.”
 Regarding the misappropriation of funds, he said that he would definitely look into the matter. However, he said the concerned BMO was the drawing and disbursing authority and medical officers of the PHCs were always taken into confidence before making any purchases.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 23 Jun 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 23 Jun 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 24 Jun 2011 00:00:00 IST