SSKM canteen staff demand money for extra food

Kolkata: One man's meat is another man's poison. The carcass meat row, which has created a ruckus across the state, has now cast its spell on the canteen services of SSKM Hospital.

Taking advantage of the incident, a group of canteen staff in the Hospital were demanding money from patients or their family members for providing extra pieces of fish.

The patients undergoing treatment in the hospital get their food for free.

They are entitled to get one piece of fish in their meal. However, they were informed that if any one wants to have an extra piece of fish, he or she has to pay Rs 5 for each.

Some of the canteen staff, who are mostly contractual workers, have been making money in this way. It was learnt that this practice has been going on in the hospital for quite sometime.

At around 1.55 pm on Tuesday, some canteen staff were distributing lunch among the patients undergoing treatment at the CTVS department of the hospital.

A patient had asked for an extra piece of fish. One of the staff said she needs to pay Rs 5 for one extra piece.

The patient paid the amount to have an extra piece from the canteen employee.

The state government has been spending crores of money over free treatment and other services to the patients.

Despite the efforts by the government to extend quality services, a section of people within the system are maligning the government for their own benefits, alleged some relatives of the patients.

It is learnt that canteen staff get an estimation from each department on the number of patients, based on which they prepare food.

Patients can have food of their own choice.

There are many patients who do not take fish. The pieces that remain undistributed are being served among other indoor patients in exchange of money.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's dream project to provide free health services in state-run hospitals across Bengal was initially criticised, following resistance by a section of doctors and paramedical staff, having some alleged links with drug manufacturers and suppliers.

It would remain a half-pursued dream, if this 'corrupt' practice exists.

A senior official at the state health department, on condition of anonymity, said a section of doctors and paramedical staff at government establishments were trying to oppose various health service schemes introduced by the government for their personal gains.

It may be mentioned, that a few days ago, the store keeper of Bangur Institute of Neuroscience had been arrested on the charges of demanding money for an orthopedic implant, which the patient was supposed to get it for free.