(This story originally appeared in on Feb 20, 2015)

NEW DELHI: The country's premier health institute, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), appears to have maintained silence on the alleged misuse of resources and irregularities in procurement of medical equipment. Despite repeated communications from the health ministry seeking clarifications on the matter from AIIMS director M C Misra in past three months, the institute has not responded so far.Medical devices worth several lakhs, which were purchased during 2009-12, were found unused and expired in the store rooms of the health institute. The irregularity came into light during a physical verification by a vigilance committee last year.Following a letter from the Rajya Sabha Secretariat to the health ministry last month seeking action on the matter, the ministry wrote to the institute and sent two reminders, an official, in know of developments, said.The case has also been referred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a detailed inquiry.According to the report submitted by the vigilance committee, medical devices worth Rs 60 lakh were found unused and expired. It also found several unused items purchased by the surgical department of the Institute.The committee, formed by AIIMS itself, observed in its report that such irregularities caused significant financial loss to the Institute as it led to blockage of funds amounting to Rs 7 lakh.This is significant as India is a low income country and has an abysmal healthcare system. The low healthcare spend and inaccessibility of treatment for many, continues to be a concern.According to the report, the department also allegedly flouted procurement rules by placing purchase orders for "surgical open item" in divided manner instead of making bulk purchases.Though Misra had earlier said in his response to the institute that all unused equipments found during verification were re-sterilized and used, the latest review by health ministry may trigger fresh revelations.Misra was the head of the institute's surgery department during the period when irregularities allegedly took place.