ED raids BIRRD hospital after graft allegations

TIRUPATI: Sleuths of the state vigilance and enforcement department stormed into the

Balaji Institute of Research

and

Rehabilitation

for the Disabled (BIRRD)—which is managed by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams—in Tirupati on Friday and verified several records related to the purchase of medicines and medical equipment during the tenure of former BIRRD director Dr G Jagadish.

BIRRD provides world class healthcare to patients suffering from polio mellitus, cerebral palsy, congenital anomalies, spinal injuries and the orthopedically handicapped. The institute also distributes artificial limbs, calipers and aids, free of cost to the poor.

Dr G Jagadish, who has been with the institute since its inception and had also served as the director of BIRRD, was shown the door in June last year, after the TTD’s new trust board decided to adopt the policy of the YSRC-led government’s stand on terminating all the appointments made during the erstwhile TDP regime. After

Dr P Jagadish

stepped down from BIRRD directorship, several allegations relating to the purchase of medicines and medical equipment surfaced.

Vigilance and enforcement sleuths, led by DSP P Malleswara Reddy, reached BIRRD

hospital

and verified several records related to purchases of medicines, medical equipment and other records at the hospital.

Speaking to reporters DSP Malleswara Reddy said “Our head office received several complaints on alleged irregularities which have taken place in BIRRD since 2015 and we have been directed to launch a detailed probe. We have to enquire into various aspects which include allocation and utilisation of funds to the institute by TTD, purchase of medicines and medical equipment, etc,” the DSP said.

The DSP said there were allegations that vendors of certain medical implants were hand-picked during the tender processes.


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