Four-member panel to probe alleged irregularities in purchase of ventilators in Himachal

Himachal Pradesh government constituted a four-member committee on Tuesday to probe alleged irregularities in purchase of ventilators during its fight against coronavirus in April, an official spokesperson said.

committee has been asked to submit its report within 10 days, he added.

A committee of health department set up on March 28 at directorate level under chairmanship of joint director health services directed for purchase of 10 ventilators, out of which seven ventilators were received by department on April 15 at cost of Rs 10.29 lakh each, spokesperson said.

A high-level investigation committee has been constituted under chairmanship of director industries and controller of stores to probe alleged irregularities in purchase of ventilators, a spokesperson of Health and Family Welfare Department said.

Director medical education, Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital principal and deputy controller finance and accounts, directorate of medical education are its or members.

Himachal Pradesh state vigilance and anti corruption bureau (SV & ACB) is already probing a health scam, including allegedly seeking bribe by w suspended director health services Ajay Kumar Gupta for making purchase of healthcare equipment and procuring sanitiser at excessive price for state secretariat.

health scam took a political turn on May 27, when state BJP chief Rajeev Bindal resigned from his post, saying he was doing so to ensure a proper investigation into case of alleged corruption by director.

In a resignation letter sent to BJP president J P Nadda, Bindal said he was tendering his resignation on "high moral grounds" as some people were "dragging party's name" in alleged corruption by health official.

Meanwhile, spokesperson stated that health directorate has prima facie t found any irregularity in purchase of ventilators, high-level investigation committee was set up for making whole process more transparent.

Im Credits: PTI