11 April,2011 06:58 AM IST | | Priyanka Vora
Dr W B Tayade, director, DMER, allegedly misused his position to lease out 3-BHK in CST high-rise meant for hospital employees
These are troubled times for Dr W B Tayade, director, Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER).
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The DMER chief, who has lately been grappling with corruption charges for the purchase of medical equipment at inflated rates, is now facing the heat for allegedly misusing his position to allot one of the GT hospital quarters in CST to an outsider.
The GT Hospital flat that was allegedly allotted to an outsider by the DMER chief Dr W B Tayade
The ACB is investigating Tayade's alleged involvement in doling out a 1,500-square-foot apartment to a certain Hitesh Muley. The anomaly lies in the fact that these apartments are meant to be used only by employees of GT hospital.
Tayade first came under the scanner when the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) slapped charges of corruption on the DMER chief for allegedly purchasing medical equipment, including ventilators, at three times the market price, in a covert deal with manufacturing companies.
The rulebook
The 15th floor of the CST high-rise has three apartments, measuring 1500 square feet each. The three sprawling 3BHK flats are meant to be used only by the medical superintendent, the deputy superintendent and a class I paediatrician. According to the complaint received by the ACB, Muley was unlawfully occupying the apartment meant for the class I paediatrician.
The rules and regulations decree that allotment of the apartment is the prerogative of the medical superintendent of the hospital, and that he must allot it to an individual on the payrolls of the hospital.
Official speaks
When MiD DAY contacted Dr A P Chaudhari, medical superintendent of GT hospital, he confirmed that an individual named Hitesh Muley had been residing in the apartment.
"After taking over as the superintendent last August, I started residing on the 15th floor. I used to see him often, but could not identify him as one attached to the hospital. I did not allot the apartment to him," he said.
Asked if he had intimated the DMER about the illegal occupancy of the flat, he said, "I have not informed anyone." Moreover, he insisted that Muley was no longer a resident of the apartment. Muley could not be found at the quarters, which were locked.
Close connection
Muley's statement does little to justify his occupancy of the apartment, since the regulations clearly state that the CST apartment can only be allocated to an individual on the payrolls of the GT hospital.
A connection between Muley and Tayade is suggested by the fact that both hail from Telhara, in Akola.
Niket Kaushik, additional commissioner of police (ACB), confirmed with MiD DAY that the police were investigating the matter.
Dr Pravin Shingare is presently holding the additional charge of director, DMER, after Tayade was sent on
forced leave.
Shingare said, "The GT superintendent is responsible for allotting the flats in the quarters.u00a0 Only a person who is a guest of the government, or an employee of the hospital, is allowed to occupy the quarters.
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If a person is illegally residing in it, the government is authorized to extract as fine from the occupant, an amount which equals its market price."
Asked if he will take any legal action against the accused, Shingare said, "I cannot take any action unless the superintendent writes to me. But I will definitely look into the matter."
Rent Rate
According to the market rates, an apartment measuring 1,500 sq ft near GT hospital could be leased at anything between Rs 75,000 and Rs 1 lakh.
The Other Side
When MiD DAY contacted Muley, he said, "I am a doctor and was working with JJ hospital earlier. Hence I was living in the apartment." He added, "I am currently working for another medical institute in Navi Mumbai."
Tayade was unavailable for comment.
