KMSCL model: Corrupt officials get all protection, whistleblowers to be given marching orders

KMSCL model: Corrupt officials get all protection, whistleblowers to be given marching orders
The move to save the skin of those who indulged in irregularities and corruption in the COVID-related emergency purchase has snowballed into a major crisis in the KMSCL.

Thiruvananthapuram: An unusual attempt is being made in the Kerala Medical Services Corporation Limited (KMSCL) to hush up massive corruption worth crores of rupees resorted to by some corrupt officials during the lockdown period in connection with the emergency COVID-related purchases.

As part of this move, the termination from services has been contemplated against the employees who acted as whistleblowers by unearthing the scam. But at the same time, the corrupt officials sitting at the top are getting full protection from any kind of disciplinary action.

A show-cause notice was received by both the Karunya purchase deputy manager and the assistant manager, who reported to the top level about the deleting of 3,000 files from the computer network of the KMSCL. But on the other side, the action against employees, who were responsible for deleting the sensitive files on various purchases, has been reduced to mere suspension.

Kerala Health Minister Veena George, who is not happy with the developments, has entrusted a new agency with the job of conducting a fresh auditing of the accounts from 2016. The auditing by the Account General is progressing concurrently. It is expected that the action against the top officials would be initiated once the audit reports are out.

Move to save corrupt causes heartburn

The move to save the skin of those who indulged in irregularities and corruption in the COVID-related emergency purchase has snowballed into a major crisis in the KMSCL.

Without tender and quotation, medicines, PPE kits and medical equipment including oxygen beds were purchased three times higher than the actual price by the KMSCL under the leadership of corrupt officials. Many of the unwanted products were dumped in the godowns of the company without even registering it in the stock register.

Even former Health Minister K K Shailaja teacher, during whose term these purchases were made, is answerable. But when asked, she replied to all such questions by saying that all purchases were made with the consent of the chief minister.

No auditing from 2016

Only auditors close to the corrupt officials of the KMSCL used to audit the accounts of the organisations. From 2016, accounts were not audited.

During COVID-19 lockdown period, massive purchase of products worth crores of rupees was undertaken. The orders for purchase were given from the laptop of the general manager. Finally, 3000 files related to the purchase were deleted from the official computer system.

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