Scam Worth Nearly ₹100 Crore at Baba Farid Medical University?

Scam Worth Nearly ₹100 Crore at Baba Farid Medical University?

Social Activist Calls for 'Faridkot Bandh' on April 2 in Pursuit of Justice

S.A.S.Nagar 26 March ( Ranjeet Singh Dhaliwal ) : The Punjab government is making every possible effort, day and night, to curb corruption in the state. However, certain government agencies are tarnishing the government's reputation—and discrediting both the administration and its policies—by branding it with the stigma of corruption. Some such cases have been making headlines in newspapers for the past year. Perhaps those involved in corruption are more powerful than the government itself—individuals against whom no government agency or institution is willing to take action. The case involving an illegal billing scam worth nearly ₹100 crore and the unlawful recruitment of favorites at Baba Farid University of Health Sciences is once again making headlines. However, this time, demanding action from the government, social activists have called for a shutdown specifically for the city of Faridkot.

Addressing a press conference at the Mohali Press Club today, social activist Simranjit Singh Mann, Balwinder Singh Kumbhra (of the S-BC Mahapanchayat Punjab and Sanjha Action Front Morcha), and Advocate Lalita stated that, on one hand, patients are not even receiving basic amenities and medicines, while on the other, certain officials are allegedly filling their coffers with cash. This entire matter is extremely serious and constitutes a direct violation of the health rights of ordinary citizens. All of this is taking place at the instigation of the university's current Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Rajiv Sood. It has now become clear—not only in Punjab but also in India's capital, Delhi—that university Vice-Chancellors are involved in alleged corruption. During the recently held Medical Association elections in Delhi, the Vice-Chancellor suffered a crushing defeat, while his opponent emerged victorious. This outcome is clear proof that his corrupt image has been exposed—both within the medical community and at the national level.

He stated that the Joint Action Front has launched a movement against this. The primary objective of this movement is to rouse the Punjab government so that immediate action is taken regarding the vigilance inquiry, and strict measures are initiated against the guilty university officials. He also stated that this movement is currently being carried out merely as a warning. If no concrete action is taken against university officials within the next few days, the next phase of the agitation will be launched at the Punjab level on April 2nd in Faridkot, with the support of kisan organizations.

Social activists Simranjit Singh Mann, Balwinder Singh Kumbhra, and Avtar Singh Nagla have appealed to the Punjab government to take immediate and impartial action to safeguard this sacred institution, which operates under the name of Baba Farid Ji, so that the university's prestige and public trust may be restored. On this occasion, in addition to the leaders mentioned above, Chairman of CLP India Avtar Singh Nagla, Harnek Singh Maloa, Satpal Nagla, and others were present.