Gorakhpur: Allegations of 'suspended' principal put DGME in dock

LUCKNOW: The former head of Gorakhpur-based BRD Medical College Rajeev Mishra, who was suspended after 32 people lost their lives due to alleged disruption in oxygen supply, has said that he had written several letters to top officials requesting the release of funds to be paid to the oxygen cylinder vendor, but there was no prompt action.

Besides, he also claims that he had forwarded the reminders sent by the vendor for an urgent payment. "I wrote at least three letters to the health department on July 3, 19 and August 1. I had attached reminders from the Lucknow-based vendor in my letters," said Mishra.
Rajeev Mishra, who claimed that he was not suspended from BRD Medical College but had resigned on moral grounds, said, "I had even raised the issue in discussions over video-conferencing with officials in Lucknow ."

"Only my last letter on August 1 is being referred to," he said, adding that the government sanctioned the funds on August 5 and payment was made on August 11. Mishra asked where was the delay, considering the long process the government payments usually take. Mishra's allegation puts director general medical education ( DGME), KK Gupta, in the dock.

The government appointed Dr Gupta in June this year despite several allegations of misappropriation during his previous tenure as DGME during the SP government. He was removed in 2015 when complaints against him was made to the lokayukta. But the BJP government again appointed him. Several attempts by TOI to contact minister Ashutosh Tandon and DGME to seek their version proved futile.