Sanjeevani Clinic scam exposed in Jabalpur Collector’s investigation:Lack of BP machines, computers, yet fake bills cleared; fraud might cross ₹10 cr mark

A major fraud has come to light in the Madhya Pradesh government’s most ambitious scheme, ‘Mukhyamantri Sanjeevani Clinic’ in Jabalpur. The scheme, whose purpose was to provide free treatment and medicines to the poor near their homes, has been turned into a hub of corruption by officials. The situation is such that there are no computers in the clinics, no BP machines, and no painting has been done for the past 2 years, but crores have been paid in records. Shocking revelations have been made in the investigation by Collector Raghavendra Singh’s team and Deputy Collector RS Maravi. Here, health department officials have made payments of nearly ₹2 crore without purchasing any equipment. Just 3 days before the investigation started, printers were hurriedly sent to some centres. The question is, when there are no computers in the clinic, what will be the use of printers? The surprising thing is that the clinics for which bills worth lakhs were passed in the name of repairs and painting, not even a drop of paint has arrived there in the last two years. What was found in the Deputy Collector’s investigation? According to the preliminary report of Deputy Collector Raghuvir Singh Maravi, goods worth ₹93 lakh are such that they are neither in the store nor at any centre. Fake entries have been made in the store branch registers. Cupboards are missing in several clinics, even though payment for them has been made. The initial investigation report has been submitted to the Collector. In this, not only the local but also the involvement of some big officers up to Bhopal appears suspicious. Records are being scrutinised, and soon some more major arrests and action may take place. The ‘Shortcut’ of the Scam: Understand the entire game in 5 points Fake billing: Through 13 fake bills, payment was made for materials that never reached the store. Through these bills, payment of more than ₹1.75 crore was made to several firms. Paper repairs: Lakhs of rupees were withdrawn in the name of whitewashing and maintenance of clinics, whereas in reality, not even lime has been applied to the walls for years. Missing equipment: BP machine, glucose machine, haemoglobinometer and weight machine were only purchased on paper, but never reached the clinics. Fear of investigation: When the Deputy Collector’s team went out to investigate, the officers hurriedly sent printers to the centres. The doctors asked Sir, there is no computer. What will we do with the printer? Treatment with personal items: Doctors in the clinics are forced to examine patients with their personal tablets and private BP machines. Doctor’s Pain, said that I have been working on personal tab for 2 years Medical Officer Dr. Saumya Agarwal, posted at Goraiya Ghat Clinic, said that she has been on duty for 2 years, but till date she has not received a computer. She enters patient records using her personal tablet. BP machine and other essential supplies had been requested for 4-5 months, which are now being sent after the investigation started. 50 clinics, but not even basic facilities Around 50 Sanjeevani Clinics are operating in Jabalpur, but most centres still don’t have basic equipment. The shocking thing is that the equipment for which payment was made, was neither found in the store nor reached the clinics. The figure could reach up to ₹10 crores According to Deputy Collector RS Maravi, the disappearance of materials worth ₹93 lakh has been confirmed so far. Dr. Sanjay Mishra had been entrenched in different positions in Jabalpur for the past 10 years. Sources say that if all files from 2021 till now are scrutinised in detail, this scam will turn out to be more than ₹10 crore. Not only this, the cases of Dr. Mishra’s stake in a private pathology lab and assets disproportionate to income are now also under the purview of investigation. Axe falls on mastermind, JD and CMHO suspended The main accused in this scam is considered to be the Joint Director (Health) and CMHO Dr. Sanjay Mishra. The government has suspended him with immediate effect. Along with this, officials of the DPMU (District Programme Management Unit) have been removed so far, a pharmacist has been suspended, and action has been taken against a contractual pharmacist.