Thiruvananthapuram: Health minister K Muraleedharan has ordered a vigilance probe into alleged widespread irregularities in the purchase of furniture for govt ayurveda hospitals in Keralam, including the procurement of furniture worth lakhs of rupees before the completion of a hospital building in Pinarayi, Kannur.The minister ordered a comprehensive probe, rejecting a recommendation by the principal secretary of the health department that a departmental inquiry by the finance department would be sufficient.The investigation will primarily focus on P R Saji, former state programme manager of the National AYUSH Mission, who issued the order for the furniture purchase. At govt ayurveda hospital in Pinarayi, furniture worth Rs 11.45 lakh was purchased even before the construction of the building was completed, raising concerns over the procurement process.Similar large-scale purchases allegedly violating prescribed rules were also reported at govt ayurveda hospitals in Mattannur, Chalakudy and Venganoor.Although the principal secretary had favoured a finance department inquiry, the minister directed a vigilance probe in view of the seriousness of the alleged irregularities. The investigation is expected to examine the purchases and the circumstances under which the procurement was carried out in violation of the prescribed procedures.
