Imphal, September 21 2009: The report of the preliminary enquiry conducted by a sub-committee into the absence of proper accounts about the money collected through the cash counters of RIMS including OPD and casualty counters has been submitted to RIMS Director.

Although the enquiry report did mention about misappropriation of crores of rupees as well the officials involved in the scam, it admitted the sub-committee's inability to conduct the enquiry thoroughly.

Even though the enquiry conducted by the Head of ENT Department Prof Th Ibohal was a preliminary one, former Cashier Rajen Roy and 12 other employees were suspended on April 21 this year so that the enquiry could be initiated.

On learning that no proper accounts about the money collected from different cash counters including OPD and Casualty counters have been maintained, the RIMS authority identified a specific period from April 1, 2007 till March 31 this year for investigation by the sub-committee.

As a rule, receipts are given to patient parties for blood test, taking X-ray, Ultra Sound, removal of stones, occupation of special ward etc.

The money thus collected from issuing these receipts should be deposited at UBI, RIMS branch on daily basis.

Similarly, money collected from issuing OPD registration form (MR-1) should be also deposited at the same bank everyday.

As per the enquiry report, former Cashier T Rajen Roy did the work of distribution of receipt books having 50 pages.

During April 1, 2007 to March 31, 2009, Rajen Roy received 7824 receipt books.

Out of these, 7342 receipt books were distributed to UDC G Achung, LDC M Thambalngou, LDC S Sorojini, LDC S Kantomani, LDC L Mohenjao and LDC Shantikumar then posted at the counters of general OPD, Gynae OPD, PMR OPD, Physiology OPD, Special Ward and Emergency Services.

There was vast incompatibility between The amount received by RIMS authority and the amount recorded in the receipt books, the report pointed out.

In one particular case, out of Rs 3100 that should go to the account of RIMS, only Rs 5 were deposited at RIMS account while the remaining Rs 3095 went unaccounted.

After 7382 receipt books have been distributed out of 7842 given to Rajen Roy, the remaining 482 receipt books have disappeared.

Of the total distributed receipt books, many used and unused receipt books were in the hands of the employees posted at the cash counters, the report mentioned.

The sub-committee could not establish the exact amount that should incur to RIMS from the receipt books.

Nevertheless, a reliable source estimated that the approximate amount that should incur to RIMS would be Rs four crores.

As per an official order issued on December 7, 2007, RIMS December 7, 2007, RIMS Non-Teaching Staff Welfare Association and Statistical Assistant Bijendra Koijam was in charge of delivering OPD registration form (MR-1) to different counters as well as deposition of money collected from issuance of these forms.

During the period of enquiry, six lakh numbers of OPD registration forms were printed.

The cost of these forms is Rs 5 each.

Of the total number of printed forms, 4,82,500 were distributed to different counters.

But the exact amount that should be received from these distributed forms were not deposited at RIMS account, mentioned the preliminary report.

Even though the reported did not directly recommend a thorough enquiry into the multi-crore scam by a competent, independent body, it admitted its inability to delve deeper into the case due to time constraints.

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