Following complaints of large-scale absenteeism and maladministration in the State-run Sri Jayachamarajendra Institute of Indian Medicine and Government Ayurveda Medical College and Hospital located near Anand Rao Circle here, Medical Education Minister S.A. Ramdas on Tuesday placed two clerks under suspension and issued notices to 83 other staff members, including practitioners, for dereliction of duty.
The Minister, who conducted a surprise inspection of the 120-bed hospital, told The Hindu that the check had revealed several irregularities in the administration of the hospital and college. Parvathi Hegde, a second division assistant, and Nagamma, a first division assistant, were placed under suspension, he said.
Report sought
Ordering a probe by Medical Education Joint Director Venkatesh into the irregularities, the Minister has asked AYUSH Director G.N. Srikantaiah to get the attendance register tallied with the biometric system in the hospital to find out how many staff members reported late to work or remained absent for more than three days from July 1. Dr. Venkatesh has been asked to submit a report within a week.
“For every three late comings or absence, the employee will lose half a day's leave. We have found at least 83 staff members, including practitioners, had either not signed in the register or came late to work on Tuesday,” Mr. Ramdas said.
The Minister, who also visited the canteen and tasted the food cooked for patients, found that the inventory was not maintained properly. “Although there were no complaints about the food, there were no records of foodgrains and other commodities supplied there. Holding the kitchen supervisor Udayshankar responsible for this, I have asked him to go on compulsory leave,” he said.
Notices have also been issued to practitioners Harish and Shalini Bhat for not maintaining the physiotherapy department properly and matron Srirekha for not getting the premises cleared of garbage.
Liquor shops
The Minister, who found three liquor shops functioning in the hospital's vicinity, said that he would recommend cancellation of their licences. He added that he would urge Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda to set up an engineering cell exclusively to deal with repairs and construction activities of the Medical Education Department's buildings.
