An irregularity in the Reimbursement Claim of Medical bill (RCM) worth Rs 62.89 lakh has come to the fore in Pattamundai block.
About 32 teachers have availed the benefit by forging documents in cahoots with the block authorities and a doctor. After being asked by district Collector Durga Prasad Behera, Sub-Collector Pratap Kumar Mishra visited the block and the CHC to conduct an inquiry on the alleged scam. Mishra seized many documents during the inquiry and came to know that the Director of Mass Education department had provided a sum of Rs 62.89 lakh to Pattamundai education district in 2012 -13 year for claims on medical expenses by teachers. The sum was disbursed by the drawing officer, who is the BDO of Pattamundai, following 32 primary school teachers claimed medical reimbursement.
But the surprising part of the story is that all the 32 teachers got prescriptions and medical bills signed from Pattamundai CHC doctor Kulamani Baral, whereas they collected medicine bills from a Pattamundai–based Ananta Balia Medicine Store, which is located on the premises of the Pattmaundai CHC.
The Sub Collector admitted it to be a fraud in the RCM project. He said that 32 primary teachers allegedly availed medical expenses by an unholy nexus with the drawing authority, the doctor and the medicine store.
“Meanwhile, the detailed inquiry is yet to be completed. After the completion of inquiry, I would submit the report before the District Collector for necessary action,” said Mishra.