Stepping up the attack on the Kerala government over the Comptroller and Auditor General's report that points out irregularities in the purchase of Personal Protective Equipment kits during the Covid-19 pandemic, Congress on Wednesday asked "if this is not corruption, what is?".
Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala criticised that the Left government procured PPE kits at inflated rates with the knowledge of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
The leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly VD Satheesan also slammed the Left Democratic Front government in the state, pointing out the remarks in the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report that expired drugs were supplied to 26 hospitals in 60 instances during 2016-17 to 2021-22.
“The CAG has underlined our allegation and revealed there was corruption and excess expenditure. Another shocking thing is that the state government through Kerala Medical Services delivered medicines that were expired,” VD Satheesan, told reporters here.
According to the CAG report, drugs and supplies issued to wards (in hospitals) exceeded the date of expiry in 60 instances in 26 hospitals from 2016-17 to 2021-22.
The total value of expired drugs and supplies issued to wards comes to 0. 89 lakhs in respect of these 26 hospitals. Usage of expired drugs is a serious matter as the change in chemical composition after expiry may put the lives of patients in danger, said the CAG.
"Orders for procuring PPE kits at lower rates were cancelled and they were bought at highly inflated rates. If this is not corruption, what is? The then Health Minister KK Shailaja says it was done with the knowledge of the CM. So, if it is done with CM's knowledge, then is it not corruption?" he asked while speaking to reporters here.
Defending the Left government's actions, former state Finance Minister Thomas Isaac questioned on what basis the CAG claimed that kits were available at a lower rate.
"What quality are they saying was available at a lower rate? Based on what data are they making the comparisons? It is an attempt to sling mud at the government. The CAG should keep accounts. The Bharatiya Janata Party has destroyed this institution (CAG). All constitutional institutions and authorities are being destroyed by them," he alleged.
The Congress-led UDF opposition is supporting such acts of the BJP, he further contended. He further claimed that the CAG report was part of its crusade against Kerala.
"Earlier, they came against KIIFB. We replied back in the same coin. The government will give reply to this too," he said.
Also read: Kerala govt faces CAG heat over inflated PPE kit costs
The CAG report tabled in the state assembly on Tuesday charged that the irregularities in the procurement of PPE kits led to an additional expenditure to the state to the tune of ₹10.23 crore.
The report also alleged that the state-run Kerala Medical Services Corporation Ltd (KMSCL) had shown undue favour to Maharashtra-based San Pharma company by providing it 100 per cent of the purchase value of the PPE kits as advance in violation of the norms.
The report prompted Congress-led UDF opposition to make corruption allegations against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the then state Health Minister KK Shailaja.
Earlier in the day, Chennithala also said that the opposition had pointed out the corruption in the past and now its allegations have been justified by the CAG. "It was a huge corruption and loot," he said.
Chennithala also said that the CAG had found that expired medicines were distributed by KMSCL to government hospitals. "The KMSCL did what should have never been done. The government is playing with the lives of the people. Action should be taken against everyone who was part of these irregularities," he contended.
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