Chandigarh : In absence, the state health department failed to submit a reply as regarding alleged corruption worth crores of rupees in purchase of medicines and medical instruments by government hospitals in the state in a writ filed by the advocate Pradeep Rapria on the complaint of Joginder Kulharia on RTI information on 24th February 2020. The double bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Anil Khetarpal taking a serious view on the court orders to submit a report in this regard. The honorable court has now served notices to State Health Department, Haryana State Vigilance Bureau and Enforcement Department to submit reply in this regard and action taken against the alleged embezzlements reported in nine districts in the state by 16th September, 2024 according to rule under section 17A- 1988.
Information reveals, earlier in 2018 when frauds of value worth crores of rupees for the procurement of medicines and medical instruments in the government hospitals was exposed when Dushyant Chautala MP and later became Deputy Chief Minister Haryana raised the issue demanding CBI investigation and audit by CAG as regard embezzlements and unethical purchases of medicines and medical instruments at much higher prices by Hisar and Fatehabad government hospitals.
Investigation revealed that according to RTI information the concerned authorities in government hospitals in Hisar and Fatehabad purchased medicines from a firm in Hisar and during investigation at the spot it was found that at this address a washerman was residing and running a small shop. In another case, the procurement of huge quantities of medical instruments was made from a firm and during investigation it was found that the firm was illegally preparing fake coins, was arrested and lodged in jail and the tender documents were submitted from inside the jail on fake signatures suspected by the employee health department. Information also reveals that huge procurements of medicines and medical instruments were allegedly made from the unregistered firms having no drugs sale and manufacturing license issued by the drug department.