CBI probing biomedical waste scam flagged in Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College earlier
Times of India | 2 September 2024
CBI team leaves RG Kar hospital after investigating the rape-murder case in Kolkata on Sunday KOLKATA: CBI officers probing the financial corruption in RG Kar Medical College are looking into the alleged scams that had already been flagged within the hospital.
The agency has come across documents related to an enquiry committee report related to the disposal of biomedical waste in RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The improper disposal of biomedical waste was spotted in 2022-2023.The committee report mentioned a worker at the common collection plant of the hospital who was questioned about the biomedical waste. The name of a caretaker of a guest house on the hospital premises had also surfaced. The worker mentioned three names, including that of a security guard close to former principal Sandip Ghosh. It was found that the security guard showed the worker ways to make money from the biomedical waste.
Each day, biomedical waste, like syringes, gloves and used saline bottles, are generated in the hospital. These, when recycled properly, have a huge demand in some of the neighbouring countries. The agency has also come across names of two such biomedical waste recycling companies from other states. The agency may question the two companies, including the transporters of the biomedical waste.
One company, which was given the job to transport biomedical waste, was also questioned by the enquiry committee. The company alleged that the volume of biomedical waste generated in the hospital was getting reduced each day.
After the enquiry report spotted discrepancies, several quarters inside the hospital went on alert and one of the key persons overseeing the operation of alleged sale of biomedical waste was asked to stay off the radar of any possible investigation.
The agency, which is looking into several allegations of financial corruption in the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, visited the hospital on Sunday.