Jails need drugs or food?

Kumar Rakesh / TNN / Oct 8, 2006, 01:48 IST

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If allegations have any substance, jails in Punjab spend more money on purchasing medicines than food.

CHANDIGARH: If allegations levelled against Patiala jail authorities by a public welfare body have any substance, then jails in Punjab spend more money on purchasing medicine than food for jail inmates.
Smelling foul play, the Central Bureau of Investigation has begun a probe into the suspected scam after registered a preliminary enquiry (PE) on October 5.
Earlier, Punjab Civil and Consumer Welfare Front (PCCWF) had moved Punjab and Haryana High Court in 1998 alleging large-scale irregularities in the purchase of medicines. Though two separate enquiries were carried out to probe the matter, absence of any concrete action against the erring officials made the court call for CBI probe.
Official sources said it was still too early to name anybody as an accused, but added that a large number of officials in connivance with some private firms were suspected to be behind the scam.

Names of two firms, Ambala Cantt-based Mcnil & Angus Pharma Ltd and Sangrur-based Japson Pharmaceuticals Ltd, sources said, have emerged as beneficiaries of the scam in Patiala jail.
While the former is connected with a close kin of a former Punjab governor, the latter has a senior Akali leader’s son at the helm.
PCCWF had alleged that the jail authorities procured medicines from unapproved sources, and for an amount which was beyond their financial powers.
The front added that expired medicines were supplied to the inmates.The case of Patiala jail has invited major spotlight as between the year 1994 and 1996, the authorities allegedly spent more money, over Rs 75 lakh, on medicine than food for jail inmates. The amount spent was way beyond the budget allocation.

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