The Karnataka Drugs Control department involved in the Rs. 300 crore scam may attempt to stall the inquiry going by the experience of previous cases registered by the Lok Ayukta wherein the charge sheets were not filed within a period of three months. The conviction rate of cases booked by Lok Ayukta in the past is very low.
Reliable sources informed that there were 200 cases booked by Lok Ayukta but failed to be chargesheet within three months, leading to the cases not taking off. There are several instances in the past where the corrupt officials who were caught have gone scot free without any punishment. Some senior officials facing charges have even superannuated from service.
As per the rules once a case is registered, the investigating agency is expected to file the charge sheet within three months. The sources indicated that Justice N Venkatachala, head of Lok Ayukta is aware of the delay and is ready to see that speedy investigations will be conducted.
In a week's time the Lok Ayukta is expected to provide the Interim Report of the drugs control department raid held on Wednesday, March 26, 2003 to the Sate government, said Dr. H Sudarshan.
Going by the present efficiency of officers in the Lok Ayukta, the charge sheets will be filed within a month. Justice Venkatachala is making sincere efforts to improve the conviction rate, informed an official.
The delay in investigation is mainly due to the lack of staff of Lok Ayukta who takes inordinate delays in gathering information and most often there is a lack of support from the subordinates.
But Justice Venkatachala told pharmabiz.com that all efforts will be made to ensure an early investigation and conviction. “The approval of spurious drugs in the market that have failed to go through the lab tests shows the negligence of the drug department's senior officials who are playing with the life of patients who are the innocent victims,” he averred.
The raids by the Vigilance Cell in the past at hospitals and health centres in the State have seen immediate action by department of health and family welfare. Like for instance the sacking of doctors and pharmacists who have charged a fee for diagnosis and drugs to poor patients at the health centres in the outskirts of Bangalore.
The unexpected visit by the Lok Ayukta officials at the Victoria Hospital, Bangalore the oldest government medical facility in the State has seen a remarkable improvement in the cleanliness in the corridors and maintenance of records by the administration department, informed the sources.
During the raids at the hospitals and health centres, the Lok Ayukta requested Dr. AKM Nayak, secretary, department of health, government of Karnataka to take necessary steps to empower concerned officials to utilise funds earmarked for procurement and distribution of medicines. Though the government had sanctioned adequate budgetary provision to purchase necessary medicines for hospitals and health centres, the funds have not been utilised to the optimum due to the mismanagement of the concerned officers. “The concerned officers have failed to discharge their duties in even distribution of medicines leading to irregularities,” informed officials in Lok Ayukta. Now Dr. Nayak, has also taken all the necessary steps to streamline the irregularities in the health department and keep the Lok Ayukta updated of the same.