Rs 60 Crore Wasted, Vital Equipment Denied
KD NEWS SERVICE
SRINAGAR, Mar 22: SKIMS Soura has witnessed an enormous lapse of over Rs 60 crores in capital and non plan expenditures over the last five years. This financial negligence has deprived the institute of critical equipment and infrastructure upgrades, raising serious questions about administrative inefficiency and corruption.
Crores Lapsed — Where Did the Money Go?
Sources revealed that between 2019 and 2024, Rs 41.22 crore from the Capex budget alone was left unspent, despite the pressing need for critical medical equipment and infrastructure upgrades. Additionally, under the major heads of drugs and instrumentation, around Rs 15 crore was left to lapse, directly impacting patient care and the procurement of life-saving machinery.
The figures speak for themselves:
2019-20: Rs 26.47 crore allotted, Rs 24.87 crore spent, Rs 1.60 crore lapsed.
2020-21: Rs 35 crore allotted, Rs 31.69 crore spent, Rs 3.30 crore lapsed.
2021-22: Rs 39.85 crore allotted, Rs 26.31 crore spent, Rs 13.54 crore lapsed.
2022-23: Rs 38.48 crore allotted, Rs 30.12 crore spent, Rs 8.36 crore lapsed.
2023-24: Rs 36.95 crore allotted, Rs 22.53 crore spent, Rs 14.41 crore lapsed.
Vital Equipment Denied, Patients Suffer
Sources within SKIMS informed Kashmir Despatch that the lapse of funds prevented the procurement of essential medical machinery and equipment, adversely affecting critical care services and compromising patient care. This includes high-end diagnostic tools and life-saving apparatus, whose absence has left the institute struggling to maintain its status as a premier healthcare facility.
Shocking Nexus Behind Budget Lapses
Further, sources alleged that a deep-rooted nexus between certain SKIMS officials and contractors has been responsible for the budget lapses during last five years, with deliberate delays and inflated estimates being used for financial manipulations. Sources revealed that a finance officer, posted at SKIMS got never transferred despite promotions to positions beyond the institute’s sanctioned staff strength.
“The officer’s continued presence for eight years at SKIMS, despite being promoted to a position that doesn’t even exist in the institute’s hierarchy, has raised eyebrows,” a source disclosed, suggesting a collusion of vested interests that has cost SKIMS dearly.
Recruitment Reforms Undermined by Corruption
In an attempt to ensure transparency, the government had transferred the recruitment of gazetted and non-gazetted staff at SKIMS to the J&K Public Service Commission (JKPSC) and J&K Services Selection Board (JKSSB). However, despite these efforts, the rot of corruption and inefficiency seems to have penetrated deep into the institution.
SKIMS Autonomous But Crippled by Corruption
While the government maintains that SKIMS continues to function as an autonomous body, granting degrees under the SKIMS (Grant of Degrees) Act, 1983, and with budget allocations under the Health Department, the staggering financial lapses have tarnished the reputation of this esteemed institution.
A Call for Urgent Intervention
With funds being irresponsibly lapsed and critical equipment procurement delayed, experts are calling for immediate intervention to investigate and uproot the alleged nexus draining SKIMS of its potential. The government must take swift action to ensure that such financial mismanagement does not continue at the cost of public health.
