Srinagar, Aug 8: The State Government’s bizarre decision to allot procurement of vital medical equipment meant for five district hospitals of Jammu region to Jammu and Kashmir Project Construction Corporation (JKPCC) - an agency dealing in constructions - has resulted in blocking of over Rs 7 crore and deprived patients of benefiting from the facility.
In 2007-08, the state government had approved Rs 30 crore for construction of six district hospitals in Jammu region.
However, on the basis of proposal from Directorate of Health Services, Jammu, the funds were re-appropriated and an additional Rs 7.02 crore were allotted to the construction agency for procurement of machinery for district hospitals of Kathua, Rajouri, Poonch, Udhampur and Doda.
Officials said there was no justification for roping in the JKPCC for procuring the machinery. “How can we expect a construction agency to procure medical equipment,” said the official.
However, the apprehensions turned into reality when in 2010 the JKPCC expressed its disability to make the purchases saying they do not have the expertise for the same.
“The JKPCC authorities intimated (vide letter no. PS/MD/10743-55 in March 10, 2010) that the amount shall be refunded as the agency is not having the technical expertise for purchase of machinery,” read the official documents accessed by Greater Kashmir. Accordingly the funds were returned and deposited in CD-8433 (government account).
In 2011 the DHS Jammu had approached Finance Department for advance drawl of Rs 3,84,50,000 for purchase of CT Scans which was granted vide government order no. 65-HME of 2011 with the concurrence of the Finance Department.
However, the Finance Department had asked the DHS Jammu against purchase of single slice CT-Scan machines noting these had turned obsolete.
It had stressed that the DHS should procure 16-slice CT-Scan machines.
“The department may take a considered decision regarding desirability of procuring single slice CT-Scan machine which are obsolete,” the documents read.
Even a Committee of experts headed by Principal Government Medical College Srinagar to examine the functioning/technical aspects of the single slice CT-Scan had recommended against its purchase.
“The machinery should be latest and not less than 16-slice facility which have already been installed in district hospitals of Kargil and Leh.”
The Committee had questioned the three-year delay in purchase of machinery.
The recommendations of the committee were upheld by the Finance Department which had asked the DHS Jammu to procure machinery of not less than 16- slice facility after observing all formalities.
Despite strict guidelines for purchase of the 16-slice CT Scan, the authorities purchased single slice machine for Kathua district hospital and duel slice CT Scan machine for Government Hospital Gandhi Nagar, Jammu.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 8 Aug 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 8 Aug 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 9 Aug 2012 00:00:00 IST