CAG flagged RG Kar graft, but exprincipal refused to respond

CAG flagged RG Kar graft, but exprincipal refused to respond

 RohitKhanna@timesofindia.com 22.08.2024 

Kolkata : The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) had flagged financial irregularities at R G Kar Medical College back in 2021, the year Sandip Ghosh took charge as the principal of the institute. Ghosh had reportedly refused to respond to multiple CAG reminders, raising suspicion he wanted to hide something. As Comptroller and Audi tor General started looking into the procurement of med icines and equipment by the institute, they came across earlier purchases that did not follow state GST norms, leading to excess expenditure. 

After Goods and Services Tax was introduced, govt notified hospitals that medicines and equipment would be charged under GST, even if the vendor had a pre-GST contract. The finance department issued a guideline on working out the base price. CAG found that RG Kar did not follow the base price calculation prescribed by the finance department. It resulted in an excess expenditure of Rs 1.3 crore, the 2021 CAG report stated. The Comptroller and Auditor General sought a reply from the state. 

A health department official said no response came from R G Kar Medical College and Hospital. CBI grills Sandip Ghosh for sixth day Former RG Kar Hospital and College principal Sandip Ghosh was interrogated by CBI here on the sixth day on Wednesday. The agency searched his car twice, made recordings and took notes. Roy did not speak to reporters while entering the CGO complex. Meanwhile, Calcutta HC directed police to ensure security for Ghosh’s family. Senior state counsel Amitesh Banerjee told the court that cops were deployed in front of his house round-the-clock and a police van was also present. The Beliaghata police station in charge was tightening the security, he added.