Wrote several letters for clearing dues: Ex-principal

LUCKNOW: The former principal of BRD Medical College, Gorakhpur, who was suspended after 32 people, including several kids, lost their lives due to alleged disruption in Oxygen supply at the paediatric ward, has said that he had written several letters to the top officials requesting release of funds to be paid to the vendor, but there was no prompt action.Besides, he also claims that he forwarded the reminders sent by the vendor for an urgent payment.
"I wrote at least three letters to the health government on July 3, July 19 and August 1. I had attached reminders from the Lucknow-based vendor in my letters and even raised the issue in discussions over video conference with officials in Lucknow. " Dr Rajeev Misra, who claimed after the government's punitive action that he resigned taking moral responsibility, told TOI.
"Only my last letter on August 1 is being referred to," he said, adding that the government sanctioned the fund on Aug 5 and payment was made on Aug 11, so where was the delay, considering the long process the government payments take. Under the rules of the business of the government, once the budget is released from the finance department it goes to the department concerned which would release it from time to time. Dr Mishra's veiled allegation puts director general medical education, Dr KK Gupta, in the dock. The government appointed Dr Gupta in June this year despite several allegations of misappropriation during his previous tenure as DGME during the SP government. He was removed in 2015 when complaints against him were made to the Lokayukta. But the BJP government again appointed him. When asked about Mishra' allegations, Gupta said, "Mishra used to delay files and his working was not at all satisfactory."