Manipur political analyst Ch Bijoy on Sunday has highlighted numerous irregularities at the RIMS and emphasised the need for substantial changes to upgrade the institute to the status of AIIMS as proposed by MP Bimol Akoijam in Parliament.
Addressing the media at his residence in Lamphelpat, Bijoy commended the proposal by MP Akoijam, which aims to elevate RIMS considering it as a national significant institution.
However, Bijoy raised serious allegations against key figures within the institute, including the director, the first lady, and the chief accountant officer (CAO), accusing them of compromising institutional norms and guidelines for personal gain.
He specifically questioned the educational qualifications of the current CAO, claiming that he is not suitably qualified for his position.
According to Bijoy, the CAO has neither completed a B Com nor an M Com, having only finished a management course in two accounting subjects from IGNOU in June 2021.
This does not equate to the qualifications required for the role of CAO, he argued.
Bijoy further alleged that the institute’s director has been complicit in these irregularities by seeking a two-year extension for the CAO’s tenure, suggesting a collusion between the two officials.
In addition to the qualifications controversy, Bijoy highlighted financial discrepancies in the institute’s security staffing.
He noted that while RIMS has sanctioned around 240 to 250 security positions at a cost of approximately Rs 22,000 per head per month, only about 170 security personnel are physically employed through the MSS agency.
Bijoy alleged that the remaining 70 to 80 security positions are occupied by “ghost” employees, resulting in a monthly vanishing of around Rs 17 lakh.
The political analyst also criticised the institute’s plan to outsource approximately 500 contract and daily wage earners to a private firm, arguing that a director incapable of managing his staff should not hold such a position.
He pointed out that many recruitment processes at RIMS are currently embroiled in legal disputes, with around 700 of the 1,900 sanctioned posts remaining vacant.
Bijoy further condemned the excessive security measures implemented by RIMS authorities, which have turned the area between Lamphel Traffic Island and the MI-DC road into a restricted zone.
In light of these allegations, Bijoy called for a comprehensive overhaul of RIMS’ administration, stressing the need for transparency and adherence to proper guidelines to achieve the proposed upgrade to AIIMS status.
He urged authorities concerned to investigate these issues thoroughly and implement necessary reforms to restore integrity and efficiency within the institution.
