Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) Director A Dharma Rakshak finally put in his papers on Saturday, weeks after allegations were levelled against him over irregularities in the purchase of hospital equipment.
Health, Medical and Family Welfare Department Principal Secretary Ajay Sawhney assumed additional charge as NIMS Director. Dharma Rakshak has been accused of purchasing equipment at three to four times the actual cost. The government wasn’t convinced with his explanation that he did so in the best interests of the hospital and constituted a three-member search committee to find a suitable candidate to replace him. When the panel was about to submit its report, Dharma Rakshak, sources said, was asked to resign by his superiors.
He had recently approached the court against the government to continue in office for some more time. The government took the matter seriously and it had been conveyed to him that he may have to face the consequences if he did not put in his papers, the sources said.
His troubles started after complaints were lodged with the State Human Rights Commission and the Lokayukta against the alleged corrupt practices in NIMS a few weeks ago. Besides, the High Court is also hearing a petition challenging his appointment itself. Ajay Sawhney is one of the three members of the search committee headed by Health Minister K Murali Mohan. There is a demand from Telangana leaders that a Telanganite be named NIMS director.
Dharmak Rakshak, on his part, had defended his actions at a press conference recently. He claimed that higher price was paid for the equipment in view of better specifications, three-year warranty and eight-year life span. “The supplier will maintain the equipment and ensure that it works 95 out of 100 days. The cost went up because of these conditions,” he had claimed but admitted that most of the equipment, purchased during his tenure was lying idle and went on to justify it on technical grounds.
As many as 95 ventilators were procured in the last one year at a cost ranging from `6.99 lakh to `9.56 lakh each for normal ones and `3.67 lakh to `4.08 lakh each for portable ventilators.