Cong seeks CBI probe into mohalla clinics project

Citing anomalies in the AAP government’s mohalla clinics, a delegation of Delhi Pradesh Congress met Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung and sought a CBI inquiry into the financial irregularities that have been taking place at the cost of public health at the these clinics.

The delegation of the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) also submitted a report to the LG on mohalla clinics.

Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee President Ajay Maken said that mohalla clinics have “no basic health facilities" and the norms of established health guidelines are also being violated at such clinics.

“There are many mohalla clinics which are being run at the places owned by Aam Aadmi Party workers by paying them hefty rent at the expense of public exchequer, which is a clear cut example of corruption," he added.

In a memorandum submitted to the LG, Maken said that there are not only anomalies in the mohalla clinics but they are also not being run as per the established norms.

"There are many mohalla clinics which are established at the places where they are not useful. These clinics have been set up near the already running dispensaries and instead of appointing permanent staff at these clinics, the government is transferring the staff from dispensaries to these clinics."

Exposing the irregularities on these 104 mohalla clinics, Maken said that  that AAP government has established these mohalla clinics in violation of CVC guidelines dated July 8, 1999. As per the guidelines, while taking any services or renting any accommodation, principle of L1 (Lowest one) should always be applied. "Meaning thereby that in the case of opening Mohalla Clinics, no tender was called," he said.

"General Financial rules (GFR)21 was also not followed in these clinics as it says that/while incurring expenditure from Government Exchequer, the government should follow the principle of financial propriety. The government should ensure that money being spent is not more than the occasion demands."

Maken alleged that public funds have been spent more than what was required in running these clinics.

Maken said that clause 4.13 of CPWD/PWD manual was also violated as it says that “for hiring a space for government use the concerned authority (officer) should take Fair Rent Certificate (FRC) from PWD (Executive or Superintending Engineer).

“No FRC was taken from PWD in the name of urgency. Thus much higher rent being paid in comparison to the prevailing rent for the areas. While issuing FRC, the concerned PWD officer assesses the prevailing market rent for the areas. However, no FRC was obtained and local market rent was not assessed intentionally for favouring the workers of the ruling party,” he said.