Shimla Aug 19
In a matter related to financial irregularities in allotment of a Pharmacy shop in campus of Regional Hospital, Una, the High Court of H.P. has directed the Chief Secretary to Government of Himachal Pradesh to initiate appropriate proceedings against the Medical Superintendent-cum-member Secretary, Rogi Kalyan Samiti, Una and Chief Medical Officer-cum-Member, Rogi Kalyan Samiti, Una for violating the law, causing financial irregularities and for all such acts committed by them, including offences regarding breach of trust and other related Sections of the law. A Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ravi Malimath and Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua passed these orders on a writ petition filed by Una District Chemists & Druggists Alliance(UDCDA), (a unit of Himachal Pradesh Society of Chemists and Druggists Alliance).
The Petitioner has alleged that in the year 2017, Rogi Kalyan Samiti, Regional Hospital, Una after calling bids by publishing notice, allotted a Pharmacy shop in campus of Regional Hospital, Una for a monthly rent of Rs. One lakh with 10 per cent increase after three years and security money of Rs.Two lakhs was to be deposited.
But after three years (on 18.03.2020, )the shop has been allotted at a monthly rent of Rs.9,800/-, without there being any clause for increase of rent and above all, to a person, who is not even a Pharmacist.
The petitioner has alleged that he filed representations in this behalf to the Chief Minister, H.P., Secretary(Health), to the Government of H.P., and Director Health Services, H.P., but no action was taken.
He has alleged that the tender has been awarded without issuing any notice or publishing it in any newspaper or social media. He has prayed to quash the allotment made (vide letter dated 18.03.2020) with the direction to official respondents to follow proper procedure for allotment of the shop in question.
The Court observed that publication calling for a tender of such a high value should have been given appropriate coverage to ensure that the participating bidders offer the highest rate to the Government, but the respondents have deliberately avoided the procedure.
The Court further observed that the act of granting the tender of a Pharmacy shop to a non-pharmacist, has put the lives of the public in danger. The Court also observed that a financial irregularity has also been committed as the rent of the property fetched on the previous round, was Rs.1,00,000/- per month for the first three years and this time it has been awarded for a sum of Rs.9,800/- per month, without any security deposit and an advance of three months rent only has been sought for. The Court observed that it is not only an error committed by them but is a deliberate act of causing a financial irregularity and a procedural violation that has led to miscarriage of justice. Allowing the petition, the Court quashed the award of tender and directed the respondent Munish Kumar to handover the vacant possession to the Deputy Commissioner, Una on or before August 20.
The Court also directed that henceforth the respondents, Medical Superintendent-cum-member Secretary, Rogi Kalyan Samiti, Una and Chief Medical Officer-cum-member, Rogi Kalyan Samiti, Una shall not deal with any financial matter in any aspect whatsoever and the functioning of these respondents shall hereafter be conducted by the Deputy Commissioner, Una, until the inquiry and the criminal proceedings are completed. The Court directed the State to submit compliance report by August 23.
