Dravidian Model: DMK Govt Appoints Man Accused Of Violating Tender Norms As Director of Medical Education & Research

The MK-Stalin DMK government has appointed J. Sangumani, as the new Director of Medical Education & Research (DME), nearly two weeks after the position became vacant.

In an order dated 14 November 2023 issued by the Health and Family Welfare department, Dr. J. Sangumni, Dean of Government Virudhunagar Medical College, was regularly promoted and officially appointed as the DME.

The former DME, R. Shanthimalar, retired on October 31.

In a separate order, the department revealed that the former DME had submitted the names of five eligible candidates for consideration: R. Balajinathan, dean of Government Thanjavur Medical College; H. Muthukrishnan, dean of Government Ariyalur Medical College; R. Murugesan, dean of Government Tiruppur Medical College; J. Sangumani, dean of Government Virudhunagar Medical College; and R. Suganthy Rajakumari, dean of Government Dindigul Medical College.

The government chose Dr. Sangumani based on “merit and ability”.

However, a DME Panel shortlisted earlier that was circulated on social media marked Sangumani as “Not Eligible” as he had violated government tender norms in the purchase of an equipment.

According to the circular, Sangumani had purchased the equipment fully automated analyser at twice the cost (₹73.37 lakh) against the Tamil Nadu Medical Service Corporation (TNMSC) rate of ₹36.5 lakh causing a loss of ₹36.87 lakh to the state exchequer.

His appointment as DME has invited criticism for the DMK government.