RANGPUR Medical College in June last year misappropriated Tk 4.49 crore in the name of purchasing heavy medical equipment. Without prior approval from the Health Directorate, the authorities of the college called tender process. The work order was issued only two days after the bidder was picked up and the bill worth Tk 4.49 crore was collected in just 10 days. Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Thursday filed a case against six people, including college Principal and teachers concerned for their alleged involvement with the corruption. After the Faridpur Medical College curtain scandal, corruption in Rangpur Medical College will blur the image of medical institutions, no doubt.
The ACC said generally, it takes several months to complete a tender process. But in this case, they worked at the speed of lightning to embezzle the money. Stunningly, member secretary of the purchasing committee Sarwar, a teacher of Community Medicine, has no knowledge about the equipment. College Principal Nur Islam formed several committees unlawfully to purchase heavy equipment without the approval of the Directorate of Health. He also invited tender without proper specifications. The principal issued an office order on June 21, 2018, saying Bengal Scientific and Surgical Co was selected for the job. The work order came just within two days. The bill was passed another five days later on June 28 and submitted to the office of the District Accounts Officer the same day.
However, the ACC investigations found some machinery and air conditioners, which are simply unnecessary for the medical college. The prices are much higher than the actual price. What we see that, corruption in different organisations has turned to be epidemic nowadays. From Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant to Rangpur Medical College, the corrupt syndicates have swindled hundreds of crores of taka submitting false purchasing or maintenance bills showing absurd amount of money.
We don’t understand how authorities concerned could remain indifferent seeing spreading of corruption to such an extent. Everyone feels free of doing corruption as they all know very well that nothing would happen to them. They won’t have to face trial and they won’t have to pay back the looted money. It’s an abnormal situation.
The ACC said generally, it takes several months to complete a tender process. But in this case, they worked at the speed of lightning to embezzle the money. Stunningly, member secretary of the purchasing committee Sarwar, a teacher of Community Medicine, has no knowledge about the equipment. College Principal Nur Islam formed several committees unlawfully to purchase heavy equipment without the approval of the Directorate of Health. He also invited tender without proper specifications. The principal issued an office order on June 21, 2018, saying Bengal Scientific and Surgical Co was selected for the job. The work order came just within two days. The bill was passed another five days later on June 28 and submitted to the office of the District Accounts Officer the same day.
However, the ACC investigations found some machinery and air conditioners, which are simply unnecessary for the medical college. The prices are much higher than the actual price. What we see that, corruption in different organisations has turned to be epidemic nowadays. From Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant to Rangpur Medical College, the corrupt syndicates have swindled hundreds of crores of taka submitting false purchasing or maintenance bills showing absurd amount of money.
We don’t understand how authorities concerned could remain indifferent seeing spreading of corruption to such an extent. Everyone feels free of doing corruption as they all know very well that nothing would happen to them. They won’t have to face trial and they won’t have to pay back the looted money. It’s an abnormal situation.
