Lok Ayukta indicts ex-director

BANGALORE: The Lok Ayukta has completed investigations into the drug scam and sent a report to the government, indicting former additional director B.B. Tambakad.
The Lok Ayukta has found Tambakad, additional director of the Government Medical Store, guilty of gross misconduct and causing loss to the government to the tune of Rs 70.85 lakh, besides unlawful gain to KAPL and Pooja Pharmaceuticals.
It has called for disciplinary action to be taken against Tambakad, who has now retired.
Said Lok Ayukta Justice N. Venkatachala: “Since there is no specific complaint against commissioner of health and family welfare and officers of KAPL, and though they are responsible, no recommendation is made against them.’’
He said, “It becomes necessary for the government to recover a sum of Rs 70.85 lakh from KAPL and Dr Tambakad, due to loss caused to the government by them.’’
The Lok Ayukta said: “It is high time it evolves a comprehensive system with regard to procurement of drugs to all field institutions by ascertaining from such field institutions, and properly distribute the same accordingly so as to serve the health of the public, which is most important and stop irrational procurement and distribution of drugs which is resulting in loss to the government. Further priority should be given for procurement of essential and life-saving drugs. The drugs should be purchased from manufacturers with good credentials.’’
When he had initially been challenged, Tambakad had denied the allegations.
The scam came to light following a raid by the Lok Ayukta, after a complaint to chief minister S.M. Krishna by Mohandas Hegde.