Govt questions GMC Baramulla’s fund utilisation, hiring practices in 4 years

Baramulla, Dec 1: The authorities at the Government Medical College (GMC) Baramulla have come under scanner as the government has sought details of the funds utilised during the last four years.

In this regard, an official communication was sent to the Principal GMC Baramulla in the last week of November wherein the Health and Medical Education (H&ME) Department has raised queries over the utilisation of funds besides the recruitments made in the GMC.

As per the official communication assessed by Greater Kashmir, the H&ME Department has asked the GMC Principal to furnish complete details of the expenditure and receipt in respect of the Hospital Development Fund (HDF) account for the last four years.

The GMC Principal, who was served this official communication, superannuated on November 30.

An official said that the details about the expenditure of HDF with receipts have been sought amid the complaints of the irregularities reported in the utilisation of HDF and funds under other heads.

“Furnish complete details of the expenditure and receipt in respect of the Student Development Fund for the last four years,” the official communication reads.

The official said that the GMC Baramulla authorities had submitted their reply to the government.

However, the Administrative Department has expressed its displeasure over the incomplete reply to the details sought from the GMC Baramulla.

“The Administrative Department is not satisfied with the reply and an audit has been ordered into the utilisation of funds in GMC Baramulla,” a top official said.

Meanwhile, as per the official communication, the H&ME Department has sought reasons from the GMC Baramulla authorities for non-implementation of government order No 220-DES of 2024, dated August 9, 2024, issued by the Directorate of Economics and Statistics.

As per the order issued by the Directorate of Economics and Statistics in August 2024, the Statistical Officer of Economics and Statistics Cadre, Nazir Ahmad Dar, was posted at GMC Baramulla vice Statistical Officer, Tahir Ahmad Masoodi.

“But Nazir Ahmad Dar was not allowed to join the new posting as the GMC authorities did not relieve Tahir for unknown reasons. So, the department has taken serious note of the non-compliance and sought a response from the GMC authorities,” the official said.

The H&ME Department has also sought reasons for not conducting the written examinations for the selection of posts of Junior Resident (JR) and engagement of candidates who have already completed their Junior Residency.

“Furnish complete details of the selected and dropped out candidates to the Administrative Department,” the official communication reads.