A case of alleged financial misconduct has surfaced in Bathinda, Punjab, involving the misappropriation of funds meant for ambulance fuel at a government hospital. Deputy Commissioner Showkat Ahmad Parray confirmed on Tuesday that a complaint was received and a detailed inquiry followed.
“We received a complaint regarding the theft of a hospital’s money. It was allegedly done with the funds allotted for the ambulance fuel,” Parray told media.
Following the inquiry:
- The then Senior Medical Officer (SMO) was suspended after being initially transferred to avoid interference.
- A hospital assistant and a data entry operator were also suspended for their involvement.
- A committee formed by the Health Secretary continues to investigate.
Parray reiterated the administration’s commitment to transparency, stating that the government has zero tolerance for such misconduct and would take strict legal action based on evidence.
This crackdown comes amid broader efforts to improve public health systems and governance.
In a related development from March, Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu announced the establishment of 100 NABL-accredited food testing laboratories nationwide in FY 2025-26 to enhance food safety. He inaugurated a state-of-the-art lab at Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University, highlighting the importance of scientific oversight in public health infrastructure.
The Bathinda fuel fund scandal underscores the urgent need for robust financial checks in public institutions and supports calls for systemic reforms in health governance.