Fresh probe ordered into Kerala health sector purchases during Vijayan regime
THE Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) will investigate alleged irregularities in furniture purchases for government Ayurveda hospitals during the previous Pinarayi Vijayan government, adding to a series of probes into procurement and financial decisions in Kerala’s health sector.
Health Minister K. Muraleedharan ordered the comprehensive investigation on Monday, rejecting the Health Department Principal Secretary’s recommendation that a Finance Department inquiry would suffice.
The probe will primarily focus on P.R. Saji, former State Programme Manager of the National AYUSH Mission.
At the Government Ayurveda Hospital in Pinarayi, Kannur, furniture worth ₹11.45 lakh was reportedly purchased before construction of the hospital building was completed.
Alleged irregularities have also been detected in large-scale furniture purchases at government Ayurveda hospitals in Mattannur, Chalakudy and Venganoor, reportedly in violation of prescribed rules.
The latest investigation follows several other probes ordered by Muraleedharan since the V.D. Satheesan government assumed office in May.
In July, the minister ordered a comprehensive departmental inquiry into major medical equipment purchases made by the Health Department over the past decade. The move followed reports that expensive equipment, including mobile mortuaries, was lying unused at government hospitals and medical colleges.
The inquiry covers purchases made using Plan funds and the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), as well as equipment supplied by the Centre during the Covid-19 pandemic.
In August, Muraleedharan referred alleged irregularities in the Kerala Medical Services Corporation Limited’s (KMSCL) purchase of bleaching powder to the Vigilance Bureau. The reported expenditure raised concerns over a potentially unnecessary outlay of ₹7.32 crore, while an earlier departmental inquiry was considered inadequate.
The minister also sought a Vigilance inquiry into alleged financial irregularities, construction contracts and procurement discrepancies at Oushadhi, the state-owned Ayurvedic pharmaceutical company.
The growing number of investigations has brought procurement practices and public spending in Kerala’s health sector under increased scrutiny. The findings are expected to establish whether procedural violations or financial misconduct occurred and identify those responsible, if any.
