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Hindustan Times
12-07-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
GMCH fails to recover ₹15 lakh from B-block canteen contractor
Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, is on the verge of losing ₹15 lakh to a Panchkula-based contractor who was running the canteen in B-block of the hospital. The official questioned why the hospital administration did not act sooner. (HT File) The contractor, Tarsem Gupta, M/s Raunak hospitalities, Abdulpur, Pinjore, Panchkula, had faltered on the monthly rent on multiple occasions and by November 2024, his outstanding amount had run into ₹59.5 lakh. The hospital administration recovered a part of it by forfeiting his security deposit of ₹28.7 lakh in January 2025, but ₹15 lakh still remains unpaid. The contractor was finally blacklisted in June. Those in the know of the tender technicalities are criticising the hospital's alleged leniency in the matter. One such official said the outstanding amount is usually not allowed to cross the security deposit as it poses challenges in recovery. The official questioned why the hospital administration did not act sooner. The said official further said the contractor took the hospital for a ride. GMCH had first issued a notice to the contractor in September 2024, and a termination letter on November 18, 2024, citing the ₹59.50 lakh dues. However, it put the termination on hold after the contractor assured payment by December 10. But instead of paying up, the contractor moved the district court against the termination. The court dismissed his plea on March 17, 2025, after which he vacated the canteen. Since then, the canteen has been non-functional, leaving patients and attendants visiting the outpatient department (OPD) in the lurch, besides causing a huge revenue loss to the government exchequer. The B-block canteen is the biggest of all three canteens in the institute and fetches the highest rent. Director principal of the institute, Dr AK Atri said, 'As per procedure, we have written to the local authority for recovery of the dues from the defaulter. The amount will be recovered.' However, the DC can act only if the contractor owns property in Chandigarh. DC Nishant Kumar Yadav said, 'We will get the matter examined. We will see whether the firm or company owns any property in Chandigarh. In case they do, their property will be declared as arrears of land revenue. In case the company does not have any property in Chandigarh, we will send the case back to GMCH administration.' The notice of the estate branch of GMCH-32 shows the contractor's address as Pinjore, Panchkula.
Hindustan Times
11-07-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Chandigarh: New trauma centre at GMCH opens by month-end
The patient load on Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research's (PGIMER) trauma centre will likely reduce with another emergency-cum-trauma centre set to be inaugurated at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, by month-end. Until now, the trauma centre at PGIMER had been bearing much of the load of emergency patients, with their numbers consistently rising over the years. (HT photo) The hospital administration has issued a circular regarding a Sukhmani Sahib path at the new trauma centre building on July 27. Though the hospital administration has not confirmed the date, sources revealed that the 283-bed trauma centre will be opened on July 28. The authorities are awaiting confirmation of the Union Minister's availability before announcing the date. GMCH-32 director principle Dr AK Atri said, 'The building is ready and a circular regarding Sukhamni Sahib Paath has been issued for July 27. The equipment has been installed and all emergency services will be shifted to the new building in a phased manner.' Until now, the trauma centre at PGIMER had been bearing much of the load of emergency patients, with their numbers consistently rising over the years. GMCH already has one trauma centre in Block-A, with 45 beds. But the rush here goes up to 400 on a daily basis. On several occasions, there were reports of patients being treated on trolleys due to shortage of beds. The new emergency-cum-trauma centre, with 283 beds, will cater to patients needing immediate care, including natural and manmade disasters, road accidents, etc. The facility also has over 40 ventilator-support beds. The new emergency-cum-trauma centre building has two basements for parking, operation theatres, CT scan, MRI and other services in the building. The ₹52.77 crore project had received approval in 2019 and was supposed to be complete within 18 months but it faced numerous hiccups, causing delay. Due to pending environment clearance certificates, Covid and other reasons, the project has seen multiple delays. On December 16, 2024, UT administrator Gulab Chand Kataria had gone on a surprise visit to the hospital and inspected the construction work of a new emergency-cum-trauma centre building. He had then ordered to complete the work by March 31 and operationalise the building by April.
