Dr.Sekhorjit removed
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, August 26 2014: In the wake of alleged irregularities in purchase of Dental chairs and charges of misappropriation of funds in the RIMS, the Modi government has removed Dr.Sinam Sekhorjit from the post of Director of the premier medical institute.

In his place, Dr.Chongtham Arunkumar, Head of Department, Orthopaedics has been given the charge of Director.

An order to this effect was issued yesterday by Iswar Singh, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

Although the order was received yesterday, the news for change of guard was kept silent until Dr.Arunkumar turned for taking charge of Director from the outgoing head Dr..SSekhorjit today morning.

After receiving the news, a team of newsmen thronged the office of Director, RIMS.

However, Dr.Sekharjit left the office backdoor without meeting anyone.

Meanwhile, Dr.Arunkumar told media persons that Dr.Sekhorjit refused to handover the charge as he apprehended the order to be without the consent of the President of India.

Arunkumar further informed the media that he intimated Dr.Sekhorjit's refusal to handover charges to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare through telephone.

The Deputy Secretary who signed the order replied that he can exercise all powers now as a Director in-charge, Arunkumar said.

In accordance with the advice, Dr.Arunkumar said he has taken the charge of Director by himself and sent the joining report to the Ministry.

Saying that he would work sincerely to bring the RIMS Hospital to higher level so as to compare with other hospitals of the country, Dr.Arunkumar assured to establish cordial relations between doctors and patients, as well as with the media.

In reply to a question on the Dr.Sekhorjit's removal, Dr.Arunkumar recounted that the RIMS authority purchased 38 Dental Chairs in March 2013 with expenditure of over Rs.1.5 crore.

He added that CBI has taken up a case on the alleged irregularities in the purchase of the chairs and interrogated a number of staffs and doctors including Dr.Sekhorjit himself.

The purchase was made from firms which were not recognized by Government of India with the cost of one chair being Rs.3.75 lakh, the new Director told media persons, adding that Dr.Sekhorjit also issued supply orders for numerous items to MS Mukherji Enterprises in Kolkata on two different dates, March 18 and March 25, so as not to cross Director's sanctioning power of Rs. 1 crore at a time.

Dr.Sekhorjit issued supply orders amounting to Rs.99.88 Lakhs and Rs.55.63 lakhs separately on these two dates, Dr Arunkumar pointed out.

Besides the Dental Chairs, CBI has been investigating the purchase of 5 Light Cure Cordless (Model 100 A-5 YLED), 10 nos of 2 varieties of Handship Standard Head, 5 Air Motors (0-35,000 RPM), 3 computer sets etc.

Dr.Arunkumar informed the media persons.

According to reliable sources, Narendra Modi government had sought reports from IB recently and the action for removal of Dr Sekhorjit from the post of Director of RIMS might have been taken after receiving the reports from the IB.

Besides this, Dr.Sekhorjit has been facing court case regarding the appointment of 100 staff nurses against 71 vacant positions, and the appointment of his daughter as Senior Resident (Anatomy) in RIMS without valid qualification.

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