The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has initiated a departmental inquiry into alleged financial irregularities at the civic-run Jijamata Hospital in Pune, Maharashtra. The investigation focuses on claims that a clerk delayed depositing Rs 18.66 lakhs in treatment fees collected from patients into the PCMC treasury. This delay is suspected to have resulted in financial mismanagement and potential embezzlement.
The inquiry, which began on Monday, has uncovered these financial irregularities, and bank officials have been implicated in the investigation for stamping receipts for the delayed deposits. Deputy Commissioner of PCMC, confirmed that a preliminary inquiry had been launched into the matter.
In a related development, two medical officers, Dr. Sunita Salve and Dr. Sangeeta Tirumani, have been penalized for fraudulent honorarium payments at Jijamata Hospital. The penalization of these officers highlights the need for greater accountability and transparency in the management of public healthcare institutions.
The PCMC has taken swift action to address the alleged financial irregularities at Jijamata Hospital. The corporation has formed a special committee to probe the issue and its findings. The committee's investigation reported to determine the extent of the financial mismanagement and identify those responsible.
The committee is also investigating the possibility of other senior staff being involved in this. Prima facie, the clerk Gosavi seems guilty of negligence.Deputy Commissioner of PCMC, Vitthal Joshi
The committee has been tasked with investigating aspects:
The delay in depositing treatment fees collected from patients into the PCMC treasury
The role of bank officials in stamping receipts for the delayed deposits
The possibility of other senior staff being involved in the financial irregularities
The extent of the financial mismanagement and the potential misuse of public funds
The PCMC has also issued show-cause notices to the clerk, Gosavi, and other staff members implicated in the investigation. The notices require the staff members to explain their role in the alleged financial irregularities. The corporation has initiated measures to strengthen financial discipline and oversight at Jijamata Hospital.
(Input From Various Sources)
(Rehash/Neha Kamble/MSM)