In a serious case of misconduct, officials in the Orthopedic Department of Bhandara General Hospital allegedly misused their positions under the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana during the financial years 2019-20, 2020-21, and 2021-22. They reportedly facilitated a scam by conducting procurement processes in a non-transparent manner, favoring a contractor without using online trading.
Ajay Gopichand Meshram filed a complaint on March 15, 2024, with the Collector and the Chief Minister, highlighting that this malpractice resulted in the embezzlement of crores of rupees from the government treasury. Despite submitting further evidence to the Guardian Minister, the seriousness of the situation was reportedly overlooked, raising concerns that the details of this scam might not reach the public.
The investigation revealed that hospital officials inflated the prices of medical items by four to eight times, causing significant financial loss to the government. Furthermore, the Collector’s report noted that tender advertisements were not published in recognized newspapers, which raises additional questions about the procurement process.
The embezzlement amounts to lakhs or even crores, and despite demands for a high-level inquiry, no action has been taken against the implicated officials after eight months. Meshram is calling for a criminal case to be filed against those involved, the blacklisting of the contractor, and immediate suspension of the officials.
He has also threatened to go on a hunger strike outside the Collectorate in eight days if no action is taken. Evidence and reports detailing the embezzlement related to the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana have been attached to the complaint.
