Question : UNUSED EQUIPMENTS AT RIMS

(a) whether certain very costly equipments are lying idle for a long period in the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal;

(b) if so, the reasons thereof; and

(c) the corrective measures taken by the Government in this regard?

THE MINISTER OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)

(a): Yes, one Theratron Equinox 100 Cobalt Therapy Unit costing Rs.2.10 crores for the Regional Career Centre(RCC) in the Department of Radiotherapy, RIMS, Imphal imported from Canda arrived in the Department in July, 2008 is not yet used.

(b): The equipment is not yet used because the room for housing the equipment is under construction. The room is constructed after the drawings were approved by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre(BARC), Mumbai. Construction started, the drawing of the structure was modified as per directive of Atomic Energy Regulatory Board(AERB), Mumbai and their approval of the modified drawing was obtained in February, 2009. Construction works were disrupted for about 8 months in the year 2010 owing to non-availability of construction material arising from closure of National Highways during economic blockade in the State of Manipur. The room is likely to be completed within 3 months time. Further , the machine is not operational because of want of Telecobalt Source which is to be imported after getting clearance from the AERB, Mumbai. AERB has pointed out that adequate number of staff in the Radiotherapy Department , RIMS, Imphal should be available at the time of re-submission of fresh application for obtaining authorization for procurement of Telecobalt Source vide their letter dated 11th December,2009.

(c) The equipment was procured from the funds provided for the Regional Cancer Centre. No fund for manpower is provided under the Scheme.Creation of the required posts of specialists and technicians of the Institute for manning the equipment in the RCC has been initiated after a proposal was placed in the Standing Finance Committee(SFC) meeting. The meeting of the SFC, RIMS, Imphal could not be held for a long time, it could be held only on 16th Nov.,2010 after a gap of more than one and half year.