Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 19 — The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) will investigate alleged irregularities in furniture purchases for government Ayurveda hospitals during the Pinarayi Vijayan government's rule, the latest in a series of probes ordered by Health Minister K. Muraleedharan, ever since the V.D. Satheesan government assumed office in May.
The minister on Monday ordered the comprehensive investigation after rejecting a recommendation by the Health Department Principal Secretary that an enquiry by the Finance Department 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 Rs 11.45 lakh was purchased before construction of the hospital building was completed.
Irregularities have also been detected in large-scale furniture purchases at government Ayurveda hospitals in Mattannur, Chalakudy and Venganoor, allegedly in violation of prescribed rules.
The latest order adds to a widening scrutiny of procurement and financial decisions in the state's health sector, with investigations spanning medical equipment, medicines and other purchases made through government agencies.
In July, Muraleedharan ordered a comprehensive departmental enquiry into major medical equipment purchases made by the Health Department over the past 10 years.
The probe followed reports that expensive equipment, including mobile mortuaries, was lying unused at government hospitals and medical colleges.
It covers purchases made using Plan funds and the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), besides equipment supplied by the Centre during the Covid-19 pandemic.
In August, the minister referred alleged irregularities in the Kerala Medical Services Corporation Limited's (KMSCL) purchase of bleaching powder, involving a reported potential unnecessary expenditure of Rs 7.32 crore, to the Vigilance Bureau after an earlier departmental enquiry was found inadequate.
He also sought a Vigilance enquiry into alleged financial irregularities, construction contracts and procurement discrepancies at Oushadhi, the state-owned Ayurvedic pharmaceutical company.
The successive probes signal the government's focus on reviewing public expenditure and procurement practices in the health sector.
Their findings could determine whether procedural lapses or financial misconduct occurred and who, if anyone, should be held accountable.