Vikas Sharma
Jammu: In this testing time, when entire Jammu-Kashmir, along with the nation and world, is fighting war against deadly COVID-19, the working style of Jammu Kashmir Medical Supplies Corporation Limited (JKMSCL) has come under scanner owing to several startling disclosures. The matter came to fore pertains to alleged corruption in the emergency purchase of PPE Kits, High End Ventilators and other related items as several supply orders was placed by the Corporation but till date the position of supply of position is not clear to anyone.
Highly placed sources disclosed that JKMSCL placed an order on 14 March, 2020 for procurement of one lakh PPE Kits worth Rs 10.87 crore using exigency power. “The supplier was asked to make the supply within 07 days but till date there is no trace of the supply. The order was made under exigency and till now 38 days have passed but the kits have reached neither in Jammu hospitals nor in Kashmir,” they added.
Further, the documents available with The Earth News reveal that rules were also flouted in the procurement of these articles worth crores. Pertinent to mention here that there are 350 COVID-19 positive cases in J&K UT, while 61331 persons under observation, and the health department is struggling badly due to non-availability of PPE kits and N95 masks. Whereas JKMSCL, which is fully responsible to supply these kits, has yet not made it clear about the position supply.
According to the details, JKMSCL uploaded a notice on its website asking dealers to submission the approve rate of PPE kits and N-95 Face Masks within 2 days. Thereafter bids were invited for supply of one lakh PPE Kits. Further, on 10 April, 2020 bids were invited for supply of one lakh Rapid Testing Kits along with PPE Kits.
Earlier, on 24, March, 2020 an order was issued in favour of HLL Lifecare Limited wherein the company was asked to supply 200 High End Ventilators within 2 days at Srinagar and Jammu. On 27 March, 2020, a supply order issued in favour of M/S Rohit Jafa Ventures India Ltd asking for supply of 2000 COVID-19 High Protection Kits @2345 each. Another supply order was issued to the same company on 05 April, 2020 for purchase of 400 Real Time PCR Kit @ 92,000 per kit. Not only this, another order came to fore dated 14 March, 2020 wherein HLL Lifecare Limited was asked to supply one lakh PPE Kits worth Rs 10.87 crore and other items. It was categorically mentioned on the order that it was purely an exigency purchase made by the JKMSCL.
However, the health officials in both the regions i.e. Jammu and Kashmir denied having received the above said material from JKMSCL instead they said to have managed all the necessary items themselves as it was necessary to fight COVID-19 outbreak.
According to sources, none in the health department and JKMSCL was disclosing about the position of supply so far. “None of the kits were purchased and norms were flouted while placing the supply orders which amount to corruption. As per procedure, Managing Director has no powers to finalise the purchase order of worth more than 5 lakhs under exigency but in said orders, no rule was followed and the orders worth crores of rupees were approved by the JKMSCL, without getting the permission from senior authorities,” they added.
When contacted MD, JKMSCL, Shiv Kumar Gupta admitted that still there is no supply of PPE and N95 Masks. “The process of procurement is still in pipelines and supply orders has been placed,” he added.
