Dimapur, August 6 (MExN): It is reported that Dietary Articles Supply to Civil Hospital Kiphire for the months from March 2003 to November 2003 amounting to about Rs 1,87,857 released to the Health & Family Welfare, has neither been sent to the office of the Sub-Divisional Medical Officer, Kiphire, nor been paid to the concern supplier. The amount was approved by the Government and released to the concern department, for payment to a supplier, one Kipimong Sangtam of Kiphire town. (The SDMO has now been upgraded to a Civil Surgeon).
It was reported that the concern supplier came to know that the money has been released to some unknown/fictitious person or “the department misappropriated the same by forging a fictitious signature” on or about January 21, 2004, according to R Setsipi Sangtam, Member of the Kiphire Town Council.
It was stated that in spite of repeated appeals and sufficient time given for settlement of the payment, the department has yet to respond. The member asserted that “physical evidence” is in his possession when a subordinate officer of DHS moved the file related to the matter in question and that the Director of DHS “without any comments turned down the file for reasons best known to him”.
“This clearly indicates the insincerity, negligence and immaturity of the department; this is nothing but ill-treatment towards the supplier who hails from the underdeveloped areas and most interior place in the state” the member stated and demanded that 24% interest per annum with effect from January 21, 2004 till date be awarded till full payment is made.
