Where is the balance lying, what was the rate of interest, its present status: AG to Principal
K Koushal
Close to the heels of the alleged scams in the implementation of National Cancer Programme, the administration of Government Medical College and Hospital (GMC&H) Jammu has been asked to furnish details regarding ‘Grant-in-Aid’ of several crores released under National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP).
The Accountant General (AG) has sought explanation from the Principal GMC&H over ‘tardy’ implementation of the National Cancer Control Programme and alleged siphoning of funds.
The Accountant General has further asked principal to furnish detail regarding, “Where is the balance lying, what was the rate of interest, its present status alongwith copy of bank statement ending May’2020.”
In a letter to Principal of Government Medical College Jammu (copy is in possession of The Typewriter), Jammu and Kashmir Accountant General, referring to letter No. GMC/Acctts/2020/3402 and GMC/Acctt/3408 dated 19.02.2020 regarding ‘tardy’ implementation of National Cancer Programme and blockade of Grant-in-Aid, has sought comprehensive detail.
The letter reads, as per statement of the details of Grant-in-aid through Ministry of Health & Family Welfare Government of India vide No-T-20015/49/2007-CR dated 28.03.2008 released to GMC Jammu under NCCP, against accrued interest of Rs. 94.93 lakh, an amount of Rs. 94.37 lakh only had been refunded to Government of India in August 2012.
“Documentary evidence or GOI communication or any other authority, directing to refund the interest may be furnished. If refund of interest has been made without any directions, the same may be justified,” reads the letter, adding that the principal must also explain the reasons for refunding Rs. 94.37 lakh only and where is the balance interest of Rs.0.56 lakh may be intimated. Further, not carrying forward balance interest of Rs. 0.56 lakh may be intimated.
The AG also asked Principal to furnish complete details with regard as to voucher number and date of payment, cheque number and date or any other mode of transfer, name of the payee to whom Rs. 94.37 lakh paid/ refunded, acknowledgement of the payee.
“It may please be intimated as to whether the GOI had claimed refund of interest after August 2012 also. If yes, full details may be furnished and if other-wise reasons be intimated,” AG puts before Principal, adding that GOI Vide communications dated 19 November 2012 had demanded refund of grant in aid of Rs. 3.00 crore released during 2007-08 and unspent amount of interest of Rs. 11.40 lakh earned on Rs. 2.00 crore released during the year 2005-06 for development of oncology wing, whereas refund of interest payment of Rs. 94.37 lakh accrued on Rs. 3.00 crore from May 2008 to August 2012 was returned.
In case interest of Rs. 11.40 lakh has been refunded to GOI, complete details with respect to total interest earned, expenditure incurred out of interest earned and balance, if any, refunded may be furnished. “If balance of the interest earned on Rs. 2.00 crore has not been returned, reasons for the same may be intimated. Status of the release of further assistance of Rs. 2.00 crore as mentioned in GOI sanction dated 28.03.2008 may also be intimated,” reads letter.
The Accountant General stated that non-procurement of ‘Linear accelerator’ estimated to cost Rs. 4.00 crore have been attributed to the reason that the tenders were floated twice wherein only single bidder responded and purchase could not be initiated and the cost has now escalated to Rs. 15.00 crore.
AG asked Principal to furnish, copies of NITs for procurement of ‘Linear accelerator,’ comparative statements, minutes of the meetings of the purchase committee and copy of the competent authority regarding the decision taken to shelve purchase of ‘Linear accelerator’ and purchase other equipments etc.
“It may please be intimated as to whether the items and services procured from scheme funds have been procured after invitation of tenders. Details of items, if any, procured without invitation of tenders may also be furnished alongwith details of supplies procured through JK Medical Supplies Corporation and those procured departmentally,” sought AG through letter, adding that it may be intimated as to whether the equipments procured from time to time have been put to gainful use in the department and are functional. Their latest functional status may also be furnished.
AG has also sought detailed report on the progress of development of Government Medical College Jammu & Associated Hospital Jammu as additional Regional Cancer Centre and asked about the Projected Date of Completion (PDC) for the establishment of Regional Cancer Centre.
“What were the proposed dates for completion of construction activities and purchase of equipments for RCC? Present status of each component in this regard may be furnished,” asked AG, adding further, it may be intimated whether any survey/feasibility study reports, DPRs were prepared for each component alongwith timelines of all works required for centre. Details thereof may be furnished. Besides, number of cancer patients to be benefited as per survey/feasible report, may also be intimated.
Rapping the administration, letter of Accountant General reads, “In your replies dated 19.02.2020 sent under No: GMC/Acctts/2020/3402 and GMC/Acctt/3408 it has been stated that in absence of machinery/equipments patients were referred to PGI Chandigarh or AIIMS Delhi. In this regard the exact number of cancer patients referred to these institutes during last three years may be intimated.”
The letter further reads whether the manpower for running the RCC was freshly recruited or managed within the existing strength? If so, details thereof may be furnished. What is the status of Regional Cancer Centre and how the equipments procured so for are being used.
“In your office reply dated 19.02.2020 under No: GMC/Acctt/2020/3408 at Serial No 12, one of the reasons for not finalizing the contract was stated to be delay in formulation and finalizing the contract by the then contract committee and non-functioning of the constituted governing body of RCC,” stated letter, asking principal to furnish copies of the minutes of the meetings of contract committee relating to non-finalization of contract alongwith reasons for non-functioning of the constituted governing body and whether at any stage, the issue of non-procurement/non-installation and requirement of fund for completion of the centre had been raised by HoDs or any other authority.
Accountant General further sought, a list of equipments procured and installed in the centre and how these are being used may be furnished.
“In your office reply sent under No: GMC/Acctt/19-20/3408 dated 19.02.2020, it has been stated at serial number 5 that the then Principal GMC constituted committee of several faculty/HoDs of various Departments at several times to finalize procurement of various needed equipments of RCC,” reads letter, asking the principal to furnish copy of order under which the committee was constituted, dates on which such committee meetings were held till date alongwith copies of minutes.
The letter further stated that the principal may intimate the reasons why UC has not been submitted to Government of India. “In case any UC has been submitted, copy of same may be furnished and whether the interest accrued was accounted for and reported to GOI may be intimated,” reads letter, adding that after incurring expenditure of Rs. 2.70 crore and refund of interest of Rs. 94.37 lakh to GOI, there was available balance of Rs 1.63 crore at the end of 31.12.2019 out of grant of Rs. 3.00 crore and interest earning of Rs. 2.27 crore.
The Accountant General has further asked principal to furnish detail regarding, “Where is the balance lying, what was the rate of interest, its present status alongwith copy of bank statement ending May’2020.”
When contacted Dr. Nasib Chand Digra, Principal/Dean Govt. Medical College Jammu for his response to the letter he feigned ignorance over the matter.
