Noose tightened over RIMS cases
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 11 2015: A high level panel constituted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has been probing the case pertaining to the purchase of a cobalt machine in the Department of Radiotherapy, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) and procurement of 38 dental chairs in Dental College.

According to a reliable source, a high level committee of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare headed by a Director General as its chairman is investigating the case.

The source said that the high level probe was initiated by the Ministry in this regard after the then Director of RIMS, Prof Sekharjit was demoted as per a Govt order issued on Aug 25 last year.

As per terms and conditions, the committee is to submit its report to the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry within a period of three months.

Since the committee could not submit its report within the three-month time frame, the time for submission of the reports has been extended for another three months.

In case the panel could not submit its reports within these six months, it is permissible to extend the time for another three months, the source said.

Some officials holding key posts of RIMS have also been understood to have given their statement before the committee headed by a Director-General.

The present Director of RIMS, Prof Ch Arun Kumar and Dy Director, Rajen are believed to be among the officials of the Institute who deposed before the committee, according to the source.

The source further indicated the high possibility of the involvement of a prominent officer in the case.

Meanwhile, action against Prof Sekharjit is also likely to be decided on the basis of the reports/findings of the probe panel.

Prof Sekharjit's term of office will expire in September this year.

The term of office of RIMS Director is five years.

Although Prof Sekharjit's term of office as the Director of RIMS is due to expire in September this year, he has three more years before his retirement from service.

It is also not clear whether service rule will permit Prof Sekharjit to continue his service for the remaining three years after returning to the parent department.

If it is impermissible to continue his service, Prof Sekharjit will have to retire, the source further said.

It is also pertinent to mention that Prof Sekharjit is facing a CBI investigation.

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