Faridabad govt hospital launches probe into Rs 50-lakh diesel bills for parked ambulances

Faridabad, Nov 2 (PTI) An inquiry committee has been constituted into the alleged purchase of diesel worth Rs 50 lakh for four government hospital ambulances that were lying idle here, officials said on Monday.

    Fuel cards of two of these ambulances were used for purchasing diesel up until October 11, even though the vehicles had been parked near the mortuary of the BK Civil Hospital in Faridabad for three to four months, according to the state health department.

    Two other ambulances had been stationed at a workshop since January and August, respectively. Records indicate that diesel was bought using their cards as well, with entries logged up to September 16 and October 11.

    The scam came to light following a digital audit of fuel card transactions by the state health department headquarters. Subsequently, an inquiry committee was constituted by Chief Medical Officer Dr Jayant Ahuja, which has been directed to complete the investigation and submit a report within 15 days, an official said.

    National Health Mission Haryana Director Virendra Yadav, during a visit to the hospital on Monday, confirmed that a committee has been constituted to investigate the case. “Further action will be taken once the report is received,” he said.

    Former Haryana deputy chief minister and JJP leader Dushyant Chautala slammed the government over the issue. He shared a news article about the development and wrote on X: “Look at the bizarre spectacle… Standing vehicles guzzling fuel worth Rs 50 lakh. The ambulance doesn't drink it; the filthy system grabs someone to blame, some worker-type bloke. In this government, who knows how many such incidents happen daily, that when a small one gets caught, all the blame is dumped on some lower-level employee. Who exactly is being shielded this way?”

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)