Ambulance fund stolen from Bhatinda Hospital, 3 Suspended

Bathinda: The Punjab health department has suspended three officials from the Shaheed Bhai Mani Singh Civil Hospital in Bathinda following allegations of a ₹30 lakh fuel scam involving fraudulent diesel bills.

According to the news reports, the officials suspended include a senior medical officer (SMO), a senior assistant, and a computer operator. The SMO who was previously posted at the Bathinda hospital was transferred last month to Sunam in Sangrur amid growing allegations of fund misappropriation.

The suspension orders were formally issued on June 28, and the accused have now been attached to the state health department headquarters in Chandigarh pending further investigation.

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According to Tribune India, confirming the action, Dr Ramandeep Singla, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Bathinda, said, “Three officials, including former SMO Dr Gurmail Singh, have been suspended over their alleged involvement in the fuel scam. We received the suspension orders today. The Vigilance Bureau is already investigating the matter.”

The scam came to light when a resident of Ghudda village in Bathinda filed a complaint with the vigilance bureau and health authorities, submitting documentary evidence of fraudulent diesel bills raised for disused ambulances and vehicles, reports Hindustan Times.

Officials have indicated that approximately ₹30 lakh may have been misappropriated through these fraudulent transactions. The vigilance bureau is currently probing the matter in detail to identify all those responsible and assess the full extent of the financial loss to the state exchequer.

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