'Kodagu DHO misusing funds'

“If the authorities concerned failed to suspend the DH0 within 20 days, then we will stage fast unto death sathyagraha in front of Deputy Commissioner’s office,” he said.

Addressing a press meet, he said a sum of Rs 7,57,200 was given as grant for a period of six months to encourage doctors and other staff who work in backward villages and most backward villages under the National Rural Health Mission for the year 2010-11. But DHO selected Madapura, Hudikeri and Maldare hospitals and excluded backward villages like Surlabbi, Shanthalli, Balele and Kutta. Besides, the DHO also made an arrangement with a few doctors and taken bribe, he alleged.

Citing an example, Shashidhar said a sum of Rs 1,80,600 was paid to three doctors of Hudikeri hospital for a period of six months. However, the DHO has received a sum of Rs 2,31,700 from three doctors. Similarly, he has received bribe from doctors and staff of Madapura and Maldare hospitals. The DHO has also included Suntikoppa hospital in the list of backward villages.

“The DHO has violated the rules while appointing eight D group employees. The D group employees were outsourced through private companies. However, majority of the selected employees are from outside the district. A person who retired from the health department two years ago and availing pension from the government too has been appointed as the D group employee. There was lot of misappropriation in the selection process,” he alleged.

“The medical officers had received a letter on April 8 on the selection of D group employees. However, the letter stated that they were appointed on February 8 and the medical officers had been asked to make them sign for two months in the attendance book and pay the additional amount for the two months,” Shashidhar alleged.

“Without using loud speakers for creating an awareness on pulse polio programmes in three taluks, the DHO has taken Rs 50,000 for the purpose. The DHO who has been holding six in-charge posts including TB nodal officer, Leprosy nodal officer, PHC in-charge, has been withdrawing money according to his wish. He has also rented out vehicle,” he charged.

He said under NHM, Rs 10,000 was released for 190 Arogya Nairmalya Samithi. However, later he has directed to return the amount to Akshaya Enterprises. Similarly, he has pressurised the ASHA workers to return Rs 10,000 to the same institute. The DHO can not work without bringing the matter to the notice of the Zilla Panchayat CEO. The Deputy Commissioner should intervene and probe into the incident and suspend the DHO by seizing all his bank pass books, he demanded.

He also warned of complaining to the Lokayukta.