Latest news with #JDHS
New Indian Express
09-05-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Health official who fudged figures remains ‘scot free'
TENKASI: V Sripadmavathi, a senior Administrative Officer (AO) with the Health Department, Tenkasi, is facing serious allegations of forgery involving purchase orders and a no-dues certificate. However, no disciplinary action has been taken against her so far, according to sources within the department. Sripadmavathi, who earlier worked at the Joint Director of Health Services (JDHS) office, is accused of altering purchase order prices for leafy greens meant for patients. An audit found she raised the price of greens from Rs 25 to Rs 80 per kilo between October 2022 and September 2023. Following this, Director of Medical and Rural Health Services (DMS) Dr J Rajamoorthy ordered her to repay Rs 3.29 lakh. She reportedly repaid the amount this Tuesday. According to sources, after being transferred to Thoothukudi Government Medical College Hospital (TGMCH), Sripadmavathi allegedly forged a no-dues certificate needed for her retirement. "Dr G Sivakumar, Dean of TGMCH, received both a denial letter and a no-dues certificate. Upon checking with Tenkasi JDHS, it was confirmed that only the denial letter was sent. Dr Sivakumar then rejected the suspicious certificate but said he had not launched a formal inquiry," sources alleged. Despite these allegations, Sripadmavathi was recently transferred to Thiruvarur Government Medical College Hospital. A letter from the Thiruvavur dean, Dr S Rajendran, shows a request for a no-dues certificate for her retirement on May 31, seemingly overlooking the ongoing charges, further said the sources. A health department official alleged that a senior figure is helping her secure this certificate. Sripadmavathi claimed that someone else had planted the forged document to frame her. Health Secretary Dr P Senthilkumar and Dr Rajamoorthy have not responded to queries.
New Indian Express
08-05-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Greens worth Rs 20 bought for Rs 80 in Tenkasi GH; Rs 6.6L loss, five officers in dock
TENKASI: Director of Medical and Rural Health Services (DMS) Dr J Rajamoorthy has ordered recovery of Rs 6.59 lakh from five officials after an audit revealed that leafy greens meant for patients' use at the Tenkasi Government District Headquarters Hospital were bought at Rs 80 per kg when their actual market rate was only Rs 20 per kg. The five officials were working in the office of the Joint Director of Health Service (JDHS). Sources said, the price of one kg of greens was altered in the purchase order from Rs 25 to Rs 80, after the JDHS had approved the procurement price at Rs 25 per kg. Of the five officials ordered to shell out Rs 6.59 lakh, V Sripadmavathi, former administrative official in JDHS office, was told to pay Rs 3.29 lakh, as per the recovery order accessed by TNIE. Sources in the DMS office said a team of auditors is likely to launch a special audit in government hospitals at Sankarankovil, Sivagiri, Puliyangudi, Kadayanallur, and Shengottai where approximately Rs 50 lakh is suspected to have been misappropriated through similar collusion between officials and contractors. Health department sources said, the alleged malpractice at the Tenkasi GHQH took place in two rounds between October 2022 and March 2023, and April 2023 to September 2023. 'The statistical department had fixed the price but the illegal procurement was done in collusion with contractors,' sources said.
