SHIMLA: Amid the Himachal Pradesh government’s claims of zero tolerance against corruption, questions are being raised for allegedly shielding an officer, who was mainly responsible for the purchase of hand sanitisers, which is now being investigated by the State Vigilance and Anti Corruption Bureau (SV-ACB). The officer continues to work in the same department and the matter has been closed without any inquiry.
Sources said in the secretariat administration department, all purchases are made through a purchase committee headed by a deputy secretary-level officer. Hand sanitisers were also purchased through this very committee, for which contract was given to a contractor, who did not even have the licence issued under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. They said the contract was awarded on March 18 at the rate of Rs 130 per 100ml vial of sanitiser, while the government of India has fixed Rs 50 for the same. It has been alleged that without revising the price, the purchase committee placed the order for supply.
After the irregularities came to light and the opposition started attacking the government, the matter was handed over to the SV-ACB and the state drug controller also held a preliminary investigation into the matter.
It has also come to light that a pharmaceutical company from Baddi had provided 2,700 vials of sanitisers on May 20 and another from Barotiwala 3,000 vials on March 31, but the contractor raised bills for the same, too, in connivance with officials.
Director, health safety and regulation, Dr Naresh Kumar, in his report for initial investigation on behalf of the drug controller stated that both manufacturers of hand sanitisers from Baddi and Barotiwala in Solan district had donated their products and never sold the same.
The report recommended constituting a team of officials comprising the drug control administration, department of food, civil supply and consumer affairs, and the police department to investigate the matter.
However, according to the sources, no effective action has been initiated against those responsible for the scam.
Sources said in the secretariat administration department, all purchases are made through a purchase committee headed by a deputy secretary-level officer. Hand sanitisers were also purchased through this very committee, for which contract was given to a contractor, who did not even have the licence issued under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. They said the contract was awarded on March 18 at the rate of Rs 130 per 100ml vial of sanitiser, while the government of India has fixed Rs 50 for the same. It has been alleged that without revising the price, the purchase committee placed the order for supply.
After the irregularities came to light and the opposition started attacking the government, the matter was handed over to the SV-ACB and the state drug controller also held a preliminary investigation into the matter.
It has also come to light that a pharmaceutical company from Baddi had provided 2,700 vials of sanitisers on May 20 and another from Barotiwala 3,000 vials on March 31, but the contractor raised bills for the same, too, in connivance with officials.
Director, health safety and regulation, Dr Naresh Kumar, in his report for initial investigation on behalf of the drug controller stated that both manufacturers of hand sanitisers from Baddi and Barotiwala in Solan district had donated their products and never sold the same.
The report recommended constituting a team of officials comprising the drug control administration, department of food, civil supply and consumer affairs, and the police department to investigate the matter.
However, according to the sources, no effective action has been initiated against those responsible for the scam.
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