Scam haunts RGUHS: Demand for probe against Dr Ramakrishna Reddy.. RGUHS registrar evaluation admits his son to MBBS course without passing the entrance test!
Bengaluru: Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences is yet again the centre of controversy after several allegations were made against its registrar (evaluation), Dr Ramakrishna Reddy, that include massive corruption, misuse of power to admit his son into medical college without him passing the entrance examination, and others.
Though several cases were booked against him, the former government, led by the BJP, has not taken any action.Interestingly, one of the government bodies has conducted a probe against Reddy and submitted a report against him. However, no action has been taken since sources added that he is in an influential position.
One of the allegations is that Reddy used his power and influence to admit his son to a medical college without him passing any medical entrance test, which is mandatory for admission into medical courses. A case has been registered at the Karnataka Lokayukta, yet there is no investigation against him. With no positive development, social activist and student activist Lokesh Ram has filed a fresh complaint against Reddy with the Karnataka state chief secretary to start an investigation at the earliest. What was the incident? Dr Reddy joined as an assistant professor at Bengaluru Medical College and Research Centre on May 15, 2000. At that time, the BJP government was in power. After his joining, Reddy has served in various posts and is currently serving as registrar (evaluation) at RGUHS.
However, besides being a registrar, Reddy is also appointed to many posts in other departments. The allegation is not about holding any posts, but Dr Reddy draws salary and other benefits from these posts, which is illegal according to service rules. Some of the posts he holds include: assistant professor, community medicine, BMCRI; member secretary, Paramedical Board; Special Officer, Karnataka Nursing and Paramedical Sciences Education (Regulation) Authority; registrar (evaluation), RGUHS,and registrar (administration-incharge), RGUHS. ComplaintD Harsha, general secretary, The Karnataka State Association Of the Management Of Nursing and Allied Heath Science Institutions had filed a complaint against Dr Reddy for availing salary and other perks from various departments where he holds posts on August 22, 2022.Dr Reddy was appointed as Paramedical Board member secretary on December February 12, 2019 while he was serving as an assistant professor at BMCRI. Later, he was appointed as Special Officer at Karnataka Nursing and Paramedical Sciences Education (Regulation) Authority. On September 7, 2020, he was appointed as registrar (evaluation), RGUHS. “While he was serving as registrar, Dr Reddy was also part of four other departments and was drawing salary and other benefits. According to government rule, one official cannot hold many posts at once. But, Dr Reddy violated service rules,” alleged president of Bangalore University PG and Phd research students union, Lokesh Ram.
Mentioning Misuse of funds Lokesh Ram further alleged that Government Audit Department, which has conducted a probe alleged misuse of funds by Dr Reddy, which runs in several crores. They include: Illegal fixed deposit renewal (Rs 21 lakh) and (Rs 41.96 crore). Illegal monetization, (Rs 6.8 lakh); Illegal payment to staff (Rs 69.75 lakh); expenditure without documents (Rs 1.41 lakh); exam fee and fine payment (Rs 14.02 crore); counselling and illegal payment citing an exam (Rs 3.92 crore); special allowance and other allowances (Rs 29.52 lakh) and payments without bills (Rs 3.53 crore).
Son admitted to medical college with influence. It is further alleged that Dr Reddy, using his administrative power and influence was successful in admitting his son Tarun Reddy illegally to a medical college to pursue MBBS.
According to norms, a MBBS aspirant has to clear an entrance test to enter the course. However, Dr Reddy’s son got into Sapthagiri Institute of Medical Sciences without passing any of these in the year 2018-19.
Dr Reddy in order to help his son, also approved a list of 21 candidates illegally, as stated in the complaint filed at Lokayukta. No value for NMC order? Dr Harsha of the Karnataka State Association of The Management of Nursing and Allied Health Science Institutions, had filed a complaint with the National Medical Commission on irregularities allegedly committed by Dr Reddy.
The NMC, which considered the complaint seriously and asked to conduct a thorough probe on October 27, 2022. However, no probe was done. “With a change of government, we are hoping that the current government led by the Congress party will be able to probe the issue and give justice,” said Lokesh Ram.