Canteen food row: Probe panel formed

Kolkata: The Calcutta Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) authorities have constituted a five-member committee to probe Sunday's incident in which a canteen staff was allegedly captured on camera while selling foods to relatives of some patients.

The committee has already submitted a preliminary report to the Director of Medical Education (DME) on Monday. CMCH authorities have already suspended the canteen staffer who was caught on camera while selling the foods at the Regional Institute of Ophthalmology (RIO). The authorities have said that the stringent steps would be taken against the accused if the charges are proved to be true.

The probing committee is also trying to ascertain if some other canteen staff members are involved in the incident. The hospital authorities have already instructed all the ward masters to keep an eye on the canteen staff members to find out if any one of them is found to be selling the canteen foods which are served to the patients at free of costs.

The hospital authorities have told the police to conduct a separate probe into the incident.

The authorities in the hospital have suspended the canteen staffer who was caught on video footages. Some relatives of the patients captured the video of the accused.

Incidentally, it may be mentioned here that a canteen staff member had been accused of selling foods to the relatives of the patients at the RIO on Sunday. The incident had created a flutter at CMCH on Sunday afternoon.

After the matter came to light, the CMCH authorities ordered a probe and assured that steps would be taken who will be found guilty. It may be mentioned here that foods are supplied to the RIO and other departments of the CMCH from the hospital canteen.