Nagpur Municipal Corporation purchased split ACs from pharma co: Abha Pande

NAGPUR: Reiterating her earlier allegations of corruption in procurement of materials related to Covid-19 pandemic, corporator Abha Pande told the general body on Wednesday that Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) health department also purchased two split air conditioners (ACs) from a pharmaceutical company, instead of an electronics company or agency. Taking serious cognisance of the allegations, mayor Dayashankar Tiwari ordered an inquiry by a three-member committee headed by municipal commissioner Radhakrishnan B and two officials from accountant general (AG) office.
Tiwari had called a special meeting of general body on Wednesday over the adjournment motion tabled by Pande, also NCP state general secretary.
Pande said, “NMC received crores from the central and state governments under national and state disaster relief fund for containing the spread of Covid-19 and treatment of patients. Various irregularities were done by the health department in procurement of materials. One best example is that two split ACs were bought from a pharmaceutical company at the cost of Rs2,91,500. As per norms, the department should have got these electronic items from a manufacturing company or agency,” she said.
Pande added, “I had submitted a memorandum with mayor and civic chief few days ago highlighting the irregularities. But the civic chief does not seem serious towards this loss of public money and corruption during pandemic. I welcome mayor’s order of inquiry through three-member committee. But I fear for a transparent inquiry when the civic chief is chairman of the committee. Earlier, the civic chief had ruled out corruption without inquiry. He wants to save the concerned officials. Therefore, I request mayor should head the inquiry committee,” she said.
Pande also said, “There were irregularities in supply of food to migrants, patients in Covid care centres, people in quarantine centres, and procurement of infrared thermometers, PPE kits, pulse oximeter, stationary etc. Materials were purchased at rate contract from small towns like Bhandara and Amravati neglecting state-owned Haffkine. Payment of Rs1 crore was made only for transportation of food to shelter homes.”
Pande said, “Two different officials signed on bills in the capacity of chief medical officer on the same day. One was permanent chief medical officer and another claimed having additional charge of the post.”
Some corporators from Congress and BSP supported Pande, and demanded an inquiry.