2 Staff Swindle ₹47.52 Lakh From Aarogyasri Funds Of Srikalahasti Govt. Hospital
It is alleged that hospital officials and a subsequent meeting held at the residence of a public representative tried to resolve the matter internally: Reports
TIRUPATI: ₹47.52 lakh have been swindled from NTR Vaidya Seva (Aarogyasri) funds as well as doctors’ incentives at the Srikalahasti government hospital.
The swindling involved alteration in cheques. For example, two separate cheques issued for ₹2,000 had been altered to withdraw ₹5.02 lakh and ₹5.32 lakh. An internal audit on August 29 led to exposure of the racket.
It is alleged that hospital officials and a subsequent meeting held at the residence of a public representative tried to resolve the matter internally. This led to recovery of ₹22.50 lakh from junior assistant G. Lakshmi Prasanna and post-mortem assistant Chandra. Efforts to recover the remaining amount reportedly failed as the two refused to accept responsibility for the balance amount.
Hospital superintendent Y. Murali Krishna subsequently lodged a complaint with the police, leading to the registration of a case on September 15.
According to preliminary investigation, Lakshmi Prasanna had the responsibility of maintaining Aarogyasri cash books and bank cheques, apart from paying incentives to doctors and staff.
Police found that amounts on several cheques had been altered before withdrawing money. Even signatures of the medical superintendent had allegedly been forged on some cheques. The withdrawn amounts had reportedly been transferred to the accounts of relatives and associates of Lakshmi Prasanna and Chandra.
Police have identified 11 people, including relatives and associates of the two employees, who played a role in the diversion of funds.
