Irregularities in Ayurveda hospitals: Health Minister orders Vigilance probe

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Health Minister K Muraleedharan has ordered a Vigilance probe into the irregularities in Ayurveda hospitals. The action comes after it was found that irregularities had taken place in the purchase of furniture at several Ayurveda hospitals.

The minister issued the order after rejecting the Principal Secretary's recommendation that the matter be investigated only by the Finance Department. The Vigilance probe will cover various irregularities, including the purchase of furniture worth lakhs of rupees even before the completion of building construction at the Government Ayurveda Hospital in Pinarayi, Kannur. At Pinarayi, furniture worth Rs 11.45 lakh was purchased before the hospital building was completed. Similar violations were also detected at government Ayurveda hospitals in Mattannur, Chalakudy and Venganoor, where large quantities of furniture were purchased in violation of rules.