The central government is in the docks over the purchase of test kits in these Covid times. The huge quantities of rapid anti-body Covid test kits shipped to India from China have been recalled from markets and clinics by the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR), which had placed the order with two Chinese firms. ICMR now says the kits were lacking in quality and showed variations in tests that were conducted across India in recent days. ICMR’s claim that no payment was made and that none will be paid for the shipments is small relief. Other serious issues remain to be addressed, one of which is the pricing aspect, which seems scandalous. The Delhi High Court has intervened in the matter and slashed the prices of the kits from Rs 600 to Rs 400. The court was convinced that the kits were overpriced. A question arises as to why this, if the idea was not to make a huge cut at some level. It could be at the ICMR level, or even at the Union Health ministry level. It might be difficult to fix the blame on anyone, as such is the way governments function, and escape routes are many. But, this brings a bad name to the Modi government. It must admit something has gone seriously wrong – and at this critical time out here.
Question also arises as to why India turned to China for the shipment, and why India could not produce the kits. Indian expertise in the medical field is not behind that of China. But, the tendency here is to turn to China. China, on the other hand, remains hyper-active even when it is hit by Covid-19. It made billions by export of test kits and masks to the US as also the affected European nations. Production in those countries is expensive. Labour in India and China, by contrast, is cheap. China has shown the initiative while India is gaily shutting itself down. This is fresh proof of the lethargy on the part of the Indian business and entrepreneurs. China, rather, is turning even adversity to its advantage. It is interesting to note that every segment of the industry is now turning to the government to seek new favours by way of compensation to the weeks-long shutdown of the nation. This is another proof of how not to conduct ourselves in critical times. The post-Covid period should be a time for one and all to re-energise themselves to their own benefit and to the benefit of the nation.
