Gujarat hospital billed Rs 50.43 lakh for missing tank, 2 engineers suspended

A surprise inspection by Gujarat Health Minister Praful Pansaria at a government hospital in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, has revealed alleged irregularities in the construction of an underground water tank. The 2.55-lakh-litre tank approved for the hospital had not been completed, yet a bill of Rs 50.43 lakh was submitted to the health department's head office for approval.Taking serious note of the matter, Pansaria ordered strict action against the officials and contractor involved. Two engineers, Mehul Dave and N V Kalia, have been ordered to face suspension and disciplinary proceedings. A police complaint has also been ordered against them for alleged dereliction of duty.WATER TANK MISSING DURING INSPECTIONThe irregularity came to light when Pansaria visited a government hospital 13 days ago. During the inspection, the underground water tank approved for the hospital was found to be missing.A subsequent inquiry revealed that despite the work not being completed, a bill worth Rs 50.43 lakh had been submitted to the head office for approval. The development raised serious questions about how the bill was processed and the role of officials responsible for submitting it. After being informed about the matter, the Health Minister immediately held a video conference with officials from the hospital and the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) to seek details of the entire process.POLICE COMPLAINT ORDERED AGAINST ENGINEERSFollowing the inquiry, Pansaria ordered a police complaint against 2 engineers who had submitted the bill. Suspension and dismissal proceedings have also been initiated against the two engineers for alleged negligence and dereliction of duty. The Health Department has also been instructed to take strict action against Surat-based Dharmanandan Construction, the contractor involved in the project. Officials have been directed to begin the process of blacklisting the company.MINISTER WARNS AGAINST MISUSE OF PUBLIC FUNDSPansaria said negligence, mismanagement or irregularities in the use of public funds allocated for healthcare projects would not be tolerated.He stressed that quality, transparency and accountability in government health infrastructure projects remain priorities for the state government.The Health Department has also directed officials to strengthen monitoring so that works approved for government hospitals are actually completed on site and meet prescribed quality standards.At present, instructions have been issued to file a police complaint against the officials responsible, suspend or relieve them from their duties and initiate the process of blacklisting the contractor.- EndsPublished On: Aug 19, 2026 17:12 IST