IMPHAL, January 23: Allegations of malpractices against the State Health Directorate made by Andro MLA Shyamkumar are all baseless and unfounded, clarified director State Health Mission, National Rural Health Mission, Dr Okram Ibomcha today.
The director called a press conference today at State Health Directorate, Lamphelpat to clarify on the allegations.
He, however, acknowledged that there were some disparities regarding procurement of the `Mamagikhudol`™ a mother`™s kit for new born babies during the time of another director.
He said the directorate is investigating the anomalies found in the supply of the kit by M/s Medisphere Pvt Ltd during the time of State Health Mission director Devesh Deval.
The company was to supply 16372 kits at the rate of Rs 514 per piece amounting to a total cost of Rs 84,15,208 with the supply to be made within 45 days of receiving the order, he said adding that firm had, however, failed to properly supply the kit even after receiving the advance payment from NRHM.
The director said he joined his present post in 2013 and despite his non-involvement took up the case and with the help of the SP Imphal West Police tracked down the culprits.
He said an FIR had even been registered against the supplier with the Delhi Police on December 10, 2012 under FIR no 179/12 u/s 420/ 468/ 471/ 34 IPC PS Greater Kailash-I.
Following the FIR and a subsequent charge-sheet filed against the company, the director of the company Ranjan Bajaj and another person identified as Ritik Bajaj were arrested on January 13, 2013, he claimed.
However, the two were freed on bail after making an assurance to supply quality items at the earliest, he said.
Even then, a committee led by principal secretary Health is examining the items supplied by the firm and checking whether the firm is maintaining quality.
Once the items are approved by the committee, the kits will be issued to the public, he told the media persons.
Meanwhile, coming to the allegations regarding former joint director, Family Welfare Dr Usha Khundrakpam`™s re-engagement in the National Rural Health Mission even after her retirement, he said Dr Usha joined her new post on April 1, 2014.
He said the former joint director is still eligible for the post even after retirement and at the same time is hard to find doctors to join the mission as the salary is not high.
And since it is a flagship programme, the mission utilise any resource, he said adding that Dr Usha was re-engaged in the mission under the rules and guidelines provided by the mission.