A doctor who was earlier attached to the Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Karipatti and currently serving in PHC at Achankuttapatti in Ayothiapattanam Block was placed under suspension for misappropriation of funds to the tune of Rs. 11.98 lakh.
Director of Health Services, Chennai, served the suspension order on Dr. Arthanari on late Tuesday evening.
The Health Department officials have asked the 108 Ambulance services to take action against Sivaraman, working as a driver with it now.
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Sivaraman had earlier served in PHC in Karipatti as a temporary driver. The allegation is that Sivaraman who used to operate the bank accounts had transferred the beneficiaries’ amount under the Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme (MRMBS) to his wife’s account.
Deputy Director of Health Services K. Jegadeesh Kumar told The Hindu that further action would be initiated.
The issue came to light following beneficiaries in large numbers complaining to the Health Department that they did not receive the government’s financial assistance of Rs. 12,000 under the scheme.
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Probe
A three-member team from the Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Chennai, is camping in the district and investigating the misappropriation of funds.
Based on a complaint from Mr. Jegadeesh Kumar that during the tenure of Dr. Arthanari, and Bhuvaneswari, an Office Superintendent during 2011-12, Rs. 11,98,920 were misappropriated, the District Crime Branch are investigating.
Initial inquiry revealed that the funds were transferred to Sivaraman’s wife Jayanthi’s account during the above said period.
Inquiry with beneficiary reveals that some of them have received only one instalment and others two instalments.
“Investigation is on to collect the documents and verifying it with beneficiaries. A case will be registered in a week,” a senior investigation officer said.