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 2nd to Demand Justice
S.A.S. Nagar, March 26:
The Punjab government is making tireless efforts, day and night, to curb corruption within the state. However, certain government agencies are tarnishing the government’s reputation—and discrediting its policies—by casting the stain of corruption upon it. Several such cases have been making newspaper headlines over the past year. It appears that those engaging in corrupt practices wield greater influence than the government itself, as no government agency or institution seems willing to take action against them.
The scandal involving illegal billing worth nearly ₹100 crore—along with the illicit recruitment of favored individuals—at the Baba Farid University of Health Sciences has once again grabbed headlines. However, this time, social activists—demanding immediate action from the government—have issued a call for a complete shutdown (*Bandh*) of Faridkot city itself.
Addressing a press conference today at the Mohali Press Club, social activists Simranjit Singh Mann, Balwinder Singh Kumbhra (representing the S-BC Mahapanchayat Punjab and the Sanjha Action Front Morcha), and Advocate Lalita stated that, on one hand, patients are being deprived of even basic amenities and medicines; yet, on the other, certain officials are allegedly busy lining their own coffers with cash. This entire affair is extremely grave and constitutes a direct violation of the health rights of the common people. All these malpractices are allegedly being perpetrated with the tacit backing of the University’s incumbent Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Rajeev Sood.
It has now become patently clear—not only within Punjab but also in India’s national capital, Delhi—that the University’s Vice-Chancellor is allegedly embroiled in corrupt activities. The Vice-Chancellor recently suffered a crushing defeat during the Medical Association elections held in Delhi, where his rival candidate emerged victorious. This outcome serves as irrefutable proof that his corrupt image has now been exposed before both the medical fraternity and the nation at large.
They further announced that the Joint Action Front has launched an agitation to protest against these irregularities. The primary objective of this movement is to rouse the Punjab government into taking immediate action regarding the vigilance inquiry and initiating strict measures against the guilty university officials. They further stated that, for the time being, this movement is being conducted merely as a warning. If no concrete action is taken against the university officials within the next few days, a subsequent state-wide agitation will be launched on April 2nd in Faridkot, with the support of various farmers’ organizations.
Social activists S. 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 revered institution—which operates under the name of Baba Farid Ji—thereby restoring the university’s prestige and public trust. Present on this occasion, in addition to the aforementioned leaders, were CLP India Chairman Avtar Singh Nagla, Harnek Singh Maloa, Satpal Nagla, and others.