The Principal Director of the Audit (Central) Chandigarh in its report has pointed out a loss of Rs 7.94 crore due to the delay in the allotment of commercial establishments at the PGIMER.
The Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) leased out sites for parking sites, chemist shops and bank ATMs on its premises for a period of one to five years.
The authorities invited e-tenders from individuals and companies for it.
During the checking of the records for 2021-22 to 2024-25, the audit team noticed that 29 establishments remained vacant for period ranging two to 31 months.
It was noticed that the institute could not complete the re-tendering process to lease out the commercial establishments immediately after the vacation, termination and the completion of the contract.
“This was also not in the broader interest of patient care. In view of the non-allotment of commercial establishments, the department had suffered a loss of revenue. Had the tendering process been accomplished in due course, the revenue loss amounting to Rs 7.94 crore could have been avoided,” stated the audit report.
According to the report, chemist shop Nos. 4 to 6 at New Shopping Complex remained vacant since February 2019 and their monthly rent had not been mentioned in the information supplied before 2019. The reasons for the delay in the allotment were also sought from the institute. On being pointed out, no reply was furnished by the institute and final action is awaited.
The institute suffered further loss due to non-charging of water charges from the commercial establishments.
During checking of records for 2021-22 to 2024-25, it was noticed that banks, cafeterias, messes and canteens had been rented out by the institute for a long period and license fee, GST and electricity charges were being recovered. However, it could not be ascertained whether the water was directly supplied by the institute or arranged otherwise. “As a result, non-recovery of water charges from these commercial establishments has caused a loss of revenue to the institute,” said the report.
