SHILLONG: The North East Drugs Suppliers Association has asked the state government to initiate an independent inquiry into corruption and favouritism by the Directorate of Health Services.
The aggrieved association, in a statement issued on Friday, said if the government fails to order a probe then it will move the court with necessary evidence to substantiate the claims. It might also demand a CBI inquiry.
“We the North East Drugs Suppliers Association would like to clarify that we are alerting the government of the misdeeds of and the misguidance by the Department of Health Services (MI),” the statement read.
Health secretary Pravin Bakshi had refuted the allegations on Wednesday.
Bakshi had said proper tender committees were formed with representatives from various departments.
However, the association said those involved from other departments should also be questioned about the logic behind approving high rates, “which is directly resulting in loss to the public exchequer”.
The association pointed out that the tender for IV Fluids was done through physical tendering and not e-tendering.
Claiming that it was in possession of all the documents to prove that the issues raised by it are cent per cent true, the association said, “There is a reason why the states and the central government have resorted to national e-governance mission and procurement policies like e-tendering and government e-market place. Coincidently, notifications on both the modes of procurement have already been rolled out by the state government.”
“We request the government to do an independent inquiry and look into the cartel of three suppliers and the erring officers… and not put a meagre pretext that ‘allegations were made by parties who were not able to qualify for the tender’,” it added.
Retaliating to Bakshi’s statement, the association stated, “Just asking for a turnover clause of Rs 50 crore does not ensure and indicate ‘Best Drugs at Best Prices’. There was nothing in the tender to ensure best drugs at best prices. Several larger states in the country have resorted to omission or asked very low ‘turnover’ clause, which determines nothing about the quality and prices of the drugs supplied. All it does is just restricts the competition and favours the faourite parties.”
