Blatant and serious anomalies have been flagged in the functioning of the Kerala Health Research and Welfare Society (KHRWS), a cooperative body headed by Health Minister Veena George and tasked with improving facilities in government hospitals. Findings from the State Audit Department point to multiple procedural violations and financial irregularities.
According to the audit, several purchases were carried out without inviting tenders, obtaining quotations, or securing approval from the Finance Department. The audit has withheld approval for expenditure amounting to Rs 4.42 crore, citing a lack of supporting documents and the society’s failure to produce them despite repeated requests.
Purchases Worth Rs 40.23 lakh lacked proper documentation
Further scrutiny revealed that purchases worth Rs 40.23 lakh, made during the financial years 2022–23 and 2023–24 for upgrading pay wards and laboratories, were also unsupported by proper documentation. In addition, entries in the cheque issue register indicate that Rs 58.3 lakh was spent on salaries for temporary employees over a two-year period, without adequate records.
The audit also noted that key documents related to employee appointments, contractual terms, and deployment details were not furnished to the department. Questions have also been raised over advertisements promoting the society’s services appearing in Tamil Nadu-based newspapers, with no explanation provided to auditors despite queries.
Hospital Equipments Procured without any documented tendering process
In another instance, equipment and materials worth Rs 3 crore were procured for hospitals and laboratories without any documented tendering process. The audit department had formally sought clarification and records, but the society did not respond.
The report also flags a violation of procurement norms requiring government entities to purchase vehicles through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM). Contrary to these rules, two electric scooters were purchased at a cost of Rs 1.81 lakh without Finance Department approval.
These findings have raised serious concerns over compliance, transparency, and financial discipline within the body operating under the state’s health department.
