The Hindu : New Delhi News : CAG points out irregularities at AIIMS

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, May 18, 2005

New Delhi

New Delhi

CAG points out irregularities at AIIMS

Staff Reporter

Patients deprived of improved treatment

NEW DELHI: Taking a serious note of financial irregularities at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here, the latest report of the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India for March 2004 has pointed out glaring lacunae in grant of financial assistance, irregular payment of conveyance allowance and deficient procurement planning, resulting in idling of equipment.

According to the report, equipment costing Rs. 14.3 lakhs was procured without ensuring availability of space for its installation resulting in its idling in storage for over four years.

Giving details of the case, the CAG report explains that AIIMS had placed an order with a foreign firm for purchase of an inverted microscope with closed circuit television system and motorised micromanipulator system costing Rs.14.30 lakhs. The same, according to the report, is yet to be installed for lack of space and a reply to a Union Health Ministry enquiry in June 2004 was awaited as on February 2005.

"The purchase of equipment without ensuring availability of basic infrastructure for its installation indicated deficient planning, which resulted in idling of investment of Rs. 14.30 lakh. The patients were also deprived of the benefit of improved treatment with the help of this equipment, apart from the risk of damage to the equipment during the storage for over four years,'' notes the report.

Irregular payment

Pointing to the irregular grant of financial assistance the report notes that AIIMS made irregular payment of Rs. 42.97 lakhs to its staff members. "Audit scrutiny of the records relating to financial assistance released during 2002-03 and 04 revealed that Rs 25.06 lakhs was given to 26 non-faculty members. Also, Rs.16.2 lakhs was paid to 19 faculty members who were either due to retire within three years or who had served the Institute for less than three years. Rs. 1.10 lakh was paid to two faculty members who had already availed of the financial assistance during the previous year.

In another case, irregular payment of conveyance allowance paid to ineligible staff despite clear orders to the contrary from the Ministry caused AIIMS Rs. 68.59 lakh during 2002-03 alone.

In response to the lapses pointed out by CAG, the Institute stated in October 2004 that the payment of conveyance allowance to group A and B officers and other technical officers has since been discontinued.

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