A scam involving Rs6.63 lakh in connection with sanitary pads in the JA hospital has come to light. Nearly 6200 sanitary pads are stated to have disappeared after their payment had been made. These pads were purchased by the State handicraft weaver corporation in 2014. This exposure has raised the questions on the working process of Janani Surksha store of central drug store of JA hospital and Kamlaraja hospital.
The Dean of GRMC and Superintendent of JA hospital were shocked as the sanitary pads worth lacks of rupees were not available in the hospitals. Thus, the officials started looking into the matter and the irregularities came to fore.
It was found that in March 2014, an order to purchase 1200 sanitary pads was given to the State handloom weavers on March 27, 2014 a payment of Rs1,28,400 was made at the rate of Rs107 per pad on March 28. The entry of 1200 sanitary pads was made in central drug store of JAH. On April 1, the entry was carried forward in stock register and thereafter an order of 5000 sanitary pads was given and against this, only 3800 sanitary pads were received but the payment was made for 5000 pads.
On December 15, 2014 again order was given for 10,000 pads and payment was made @ 107 each. When the complaint about non-availability of sanitary pads came to fore, the storekeeper stated in writing that 5000 sanitary pads either disappeared or were received in less numbers.
The DME and Dean GRMC, GS Patel said that the pads are given to the women delivering children and for this purpose only the pads are purchased. However, a complaint has been received that nearly 6200 sanitary pads were not received. “We are investigating the reasons behind disappearance of the sanitary pads,” he added.