Audit flags multiple Delhi Medical Council disparities

The Delhi government’s Health and Family Welfare Department said on May 15 that it had received a special audit report alleging financial and administrative irregularities in the Delhi Medical Council between 2019 and 2025. The report, prepared by the Directorate of Audit, examined alleged violations of the Delhi Medical Council Act, the council’s rules and the General Financial Rules, according to an official statement. The audit reviewed committee records, service files and expenditure details tied to the statutory body that regulates medical practice in the capital. Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh said the government would examine the findings and act after scrutiny. ### Which period did the audit cover, and what records did it examine? The audit covered the period from December 1, 2019, to February 10, 2025, according to reports citing the document and the Delhi health department. The review looked at records of the governing council, executive committee and finance committee, along with personal files, service books and expenditure documents. It also examined payments tied to salary, allowances, leave encashment, medical expenses, court fees, foreign visits, vehicle hiring, telephone expenses and other administrative spending. (hindustantimes.com) ### What are the biggest financial findings in the report? The audit said the government exchequer lost more than ₹5.57 crore because doctors were charged reduced fees for renewal of Delhi Medical Council registration during the period under review. The report also recommended recovery of more than ₹3.23 crore in salary, allowances and related expenses paid during the extended tenure of former registrar Dr. Girish Tyagi, according to the official statement and local media reports. (hindustantimes.com) Separately, it flagged more than ₹1.24 crore in alleged irregular spending linked to staff regularisation from multi-tasking staff to lower division clerk posts, medical insurance payments for council members and purchase of costly gift items. The audit also recommended recovery of about ₹13 lakh tied to the mandatory three-month notice period before resignation. ### Why did the registrar’s tenure become a central issue? Dr. Girish Tyagi’s service extension was one of the main issues identified in the audit. The report said the council increased the retirement age for the registrar from 60 to 65 and granted an extension of service without mandatory approval from the competent authority, according to the audit findings cited by The Indian Express and Hindustan Times. Tyagi joined the council as deputy registrar in June 2007 and became registrar in July 2008, and he had originally been due to retire in November 2019, The Indian Express reported. (hindustantimes.com) ### What has Tyagi said in response? Dr. Girish Tyagi told The Indian Express and Hindustan Times that the audit findings were “misleading” and said they appeared intended to create a false perception of corruption. He said the issue of service extension had been selectively projected and argued that, as registrar, he was an employee of the council and could not grant himself an extension. Tyagi said the decision was approved by the 25-member Delhi Medical Council through its decision-making process, and he added that the matter was sub judice. (indianexpress.com) ### How long has the Delhi Medical Council been under scrutiny? The Delhi government had already moved against the council in 2025. In May 2025, Health Minister Pankaj Singh said the government had sent a proposal to Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena seeking dissolution of the council over alleged financial and administrative irregularities, with the Directorate General of Health Services asked to oversee functions until a new body was formed. In August 2025, a five-member inquiry panel submitted a separate report to the government after examining complaints that included the registrar’s retirement-age extension and a further one-year tenure extension from December 1, 2024. (indianexpress.com) ### What happens next inside the Delhi government? The Health and Family Welfare Department said on May 15 that it is examining the audit’s findings and recommendations. The department said “appropriate action,” including scrutiny of accountability, financial implications and recovery-related aspects, will be taken after review. Singh said the government has a “zero-tolerance policy” toward corruption, financial mismanagement and procedural violations in public institutions. (newindianexpress.com) (hindustantimes.com)