The State Government has returned the money of a tea vendor of the city, who had donated Rs18,000 through the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) for repair of the CT scan machine at the Capital Hospital.
The General Administration (GA) Department in a letter issued on July 1 said Siba Shankar Jena’s contribution might not be received by the CMRF for repair of medical equipments installed at the Government hospitals. The GA Department informed that the Health and Family Welfare Department has already repaired the machine shortly ago.
“Your contribution of Rs18,000 in shape of Bank Draft bearing number 162480 dated June 18, 2015 for repair of the aforesaid machine is returned herewith,” said the letter to Jena.
Notably, Jena, presently staying at Maa Mangala Basti of Bhoi Nagar under the Saheed Nagar police station, had arranged money after selling mutton and rice in his tea stall near the RTO office at Acharya Vihar.
When contacted, Jena said the money should not be returned by the Government as he had donated it to the CMRF. “The money can be used for welfare of any poor people through the CMRF. Why the Government is returning the money,” wondered he.
Jena had admitted a child from his slum in the hospital two months ago. There was need for CT scanning of the child, but unfortunately the CT scan machine was not functioning there due to some defects, said Jena.
On inquiry, he said, it was revealed that the machine had gone out of order and required repair. But due to fund crunch that was not being repaired, he added. Jena said he had donated the money after the poor boy’s family had already spent more than Rs4,000 for treatment at a private hospital.