Based on the report by a three-member committee headed by Arundathi Chandrashekar, Commissioner of Treasuries, to probe allegations of irregularities in the State-run Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, the State government on Tuesday shunted out its director V. Lokesh. Syed Altaf, professor and head of the Department of Surgical Oncology at Kidwai, has now been appointed as in-charge director.
Mohammed Mohsin, Principal Secretary, Medical Education, told The Hindu that the committee had pointed out gross irregularities in the functioning of the institute. A Government Order on the appointment of Dr. Altaf as the new director was issued on Tuesday, he said.
The Chief Minister’s Office had received several complaints regarding the lack of transparency in the procurement of medicines and medical equipment by the Kidwai director. The Hindu had reported the allegations against Dr. Lokesh for issuing a pre-dated work order for the development, operation, maintenance, and management of the Positron Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography (PET-CT) equipment under a public-private partnership (PPP).
“Dr. Chandrashekar’s report has overall pointed out the deterioration of administration and violation of rules in all purchases. Based on the report, Dr. Altaf has been made the in-charge director with immediate effect. He assumed charge on Tuesday evening. The subject will be placed in the next governing council meeting for post facto approval,” said Mr. Mohsin, who is also the vice-chairman of the institute’s governing council.
