MIRPURKHAS, Nov 3: Differences have cropped up between the Sindh and district governments over the registration of a corruption case against 12 officers of the district health department regarding irregularities in the purchase of Rs7 million medicines.

Under the new local government system, the district government was allowed to purchase medicines for its hospitals.

The district government’s purchase committee took steps for the purchase of medicines and the proceedings were sent to the district Nazim for approval.

District Nazim Pir Shafqat Hussain Shah Jilani did not approve the rates and called a meeting which was attended by an officer of the provincial health department, representatives of medicine suppliers and officers of the district health department.

After several hours’ discussion, reduced rates of medicines were approved and medicines were purchased.

Later, allegations were levelled regarding corruption in the purchase of medicines as a result the district Nazim ordered an investigation and set up an inquiry committee headed by DCO Mohammad Siddiq Memon.

The investigation report said that out of 171 medicines purchased, 92 were acceptable and their bills were cleared.

Samples of 35 drugs were sent to laboratory for test and they were also cleared by the laboratory.

The remaining 44 medicines were not cleared by the committee.

On the recommendations of the committee, EDO, health, Mirpurkhas, suspended a clerk, a junior clerk of drug section, a health technician, a store keeper and an accountant of the district health department.

Meanwhile, a vigilance team of the Sindh government visited Mirpurkhas and an official allegedly demanded gratification from the officials of the district health department but the demand was not accepted, sources said.

Later, on the directives of a Sindh government officer, the anti-corruption establishment registered a case against the health EDO, former accountant, former civil surgeon of Mirpurkhas Civil Hospital, DO, health, taluka health officer, DDO, logistic, DDO, accountant, pharmacist, drug inspector, store keeper, junior clerk, health technician and others.

However, the officials were granted bail by the Sindh High Court.

Commenting on the situation, the district Nazim claimed that the Sindh government wanted to disturb the working of the district government.

He criticized the registration of the case against the officers of the district health department.

He demanded that President Gen Pervez Musharraf should take notice of what he called the interference of the Sindh government into district government affairs and ensure withdrawal of the FIR against district health officers.