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Probe into medical scam

BHUBANESWAR: In an attempt to counter growing criticism from opposition parties, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday ordered a vigilance inquiry into the alleged irregularities in the implementation of the Orissa Health Systems Development Project.

The opposition parties had started demanding action against those involved in the scam pertaining to implementation of the Rs. 415-crore World Bank-funded project.

Opposition criticism had begun in the wake of reports about the World Bank findings stating that substandard medical equipments were purchased and a Minister had accepted bribe of Rs. 5 lakhs to clear certain bills pertaining to implementation of the project.

Stringent action would be taken against whoever is found guilty, Mr. Patnaik said while informing presspersons about the vigilance department probe.

The Chief Minister said that he ordered for the vigilance probe on the suggestions of the three-member fact-finding committee headed by Chief Secretary Ajit Kumar Tripathy.

The Chief Secretary has already written to the World Bank requesting for details about the Ministers and officials who were allegedly involved in the misappropriation of the project funds, Mr. Patnaik said.

Mr. Patnaik had set up the three-member committee on January 14 to find out the irregularities in the implementation of the project.

Earlier in the day, leaders of the Nationalist Congress Party demanded that the Central Bureau of Investigation investigate the scam and the Minister involved be taken to task.Criminal cases should be registered against all those who were responsible for the irregularities, party leaders Amar Satpathy, Anadi Sahu and Kulamani Deo said at a press conference.

Leaders of opposition Congress too criticised the government for the irregularities in the implementation of the health systems development project.

Addressing a rally of Orissa Kissan-Khet Mazdoor Congress here, Leader of Opposition J.B. Patnaik and others demanded that the government identify and dismiss the Minister who allegedly accepted bribe for the implementation of the project.

The implementation of the project had started in 1998 and ended in 2006.

Several leaders had occupied the Health Minister post during that period.

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