KOCHI: Health secretary Dr K. Elangovan has made it clear that the detailed project report (DPR) for the Kochi cancer centre prepared by the central government-owned Hospital Service Consultancy Corporation (HSCC-India) Ltd has not been approved by the state cabinet.
“If anyone thinks that the DPR has been approved by the cabinet, it is wrong. The cabinet took a decision to set up the cancer centre and the GO in this regard does not refer to the DPR,” Dr Elangovan told DC on Thursday when his response was sought on the current attempt of the cancer centre special officer Dr Asha Thomas to reassess the DPR and the cost components.
“It is well within her mandate,” said Dr Elangovan on the initiative being taken by Dr Asha. He also said that the finance department had not approved the DPR. It has to be approved by it first and then by the administrative department before going to the state cabinet for final approval.
“The finance department has sought clarifications on the DPR. It had sought the opinion of heads of RCC and MCC on the DPR cost compared to setting up these institutions, and they had said that these were incomparable, since times have changed. They also said that since a cancer centre is highly technology driven, the cost of most modern equipment also counts. The finance additional chief secretary Dr K.M. Abraham is understood to be seeking a detailed report from them on this. Since technicalities of a hospital are involved, he could not refer it to the PWD engineers,” said Dr Elangovan.
He also said that he was not responsible for the cancer centre project since last October when Dr Asha Thomas was given full responsibility. The controversy over the DPR was unnecessary at this moment as it comes in the second phase of the project only. “The first phase is the outpatient (OP) wing and efforts should be taken to open it first. The specialists to man the wing have to be found out for that,” he added.
Dr Asha Thomas triggered a controversy the other day by meeting HSCC officials in Delhi to reassess the DPR structure. Dr Asha clarified that she tried to cut the exorbitant cost on the structure of the cancer centre quoted by HSCC.
