The Audit report of the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC)'s Vigilance Department has found discrepancies in procurement of medicines for its Charak Palika hospital at Moti Bagh and dispensaries.
The medicines were procured on a very high rate without the prescription of the doctors. The report has indicted the Accounts and Purchase Selection Committee (APSC) that purchased '975 Capnat tablets" a medicine for cancer patients. These medicines were brought of Rs 1.5 lakh despite doctors advising against the medicine.
Also, the APSC purchased Citrocium tablets for Rs 1.25 crore and extra expenditure of Rs 1.13 crore was made to procure 46 lakh calcium tablets. This medicine is freely available in the market for 10 paisa a tablet whereas APSC paid Rs 1.15 per tablet hence incurring an additional financial burden of Rs 1.13 crore
Around 13 dispensaries and two major hospitals come under NDMC area. According to the audit report, the test check of records has revealed that the procurement of above medicines was not supported with the prescription of patients. "The procurement and issue of the medicines involved heavy amount," the audit report stated.
Under the audit observation 46, the test check records have revealed that the hospital had procured 46 lakh Citrocium /Bonium tablets worth Rs 1.25 crore.
Sources said the total medicine procurement budget is
Rs 6 crore.
"The zinc tablets, if required, could have been procured separately which are available at very cheap rates. The hospital should have procured certain amount of Citrocium/Bonium tablets, if necessary for nutritionally deficient patient instead of huge and unjustified procurement," the audit report said.
The action of the hospitals has led to excess expenditure of Rs 1.13 crore while the alternate/substitute is available at very low price," the audit observation further quoted.