Fraud detected at TB centre; chief absconds

NAGPUR, June 25: Discrepancies have been found allegedly in the office accounts of the Nagpur District TB Control Centre by a special audit ...

NAGPUR, June 25: Discrepancies have been found allegedly in the office accounts of the Nagpur District TB Control Centre by a special audit team from the Office of Joint Director Health, Pune. Fearing reprisal perhaps, Dr Zanzal, in-charge of the Centre, has gone on long leave, despite the rejection of his leave application.

What is shocking indeed is the fact that the two-member audit team, which made a detailed inspection of the accounts of the Centre situated near Golibar Chowk in the city from June 15 to 20, could find no office record of the purchases made for the year 1997-98.

The purchases, incidentally, were made for the laboratory. It is mandatory for all government departments to maintain a complete record of each and every purchase for the purpose of regular maintenance of account.

According to reliable sources, Zanzal had allegedly claimed to have purchased goods worth Rs 1.44 lakh for the year 1997-98. However, the audit team in its survey of the office stock reportedly did not find goodsworth more than Rs 50,000. Report of the audit team is expected to be out in a fortnight8217;s time which would reveal the exact amount of the discrepancies.Discrepancy allegedly, was also found in the Dead Stock of the office. Documents found at the Centre showed entry of eight emergency lights worth Rs 2,300 each. The audit team could find not a single piece at the Centre8217;s store-room.

The source alleged discrepancy in the accounts of the Nagpur District AIDS Control Programme as well. Zanzal, who is also in charge of the AIDS programme, is alleged to have doled out more sum to the prostitutes from Ganga Jamuna red light area who participated in an awareness programme than that prescribed by the government, the source claimed.

What is intriguing is the mysterious disappearance of Zanzal from the scene from the day the audit began on June 15. Zanzal who was introduced to the survey team on June 14 was asked to be present during inspection from next day onwards. But in his tearing hurry, he went on immediateleave from June 15 itself without even handing over charge to any subordinate.