a day ago
Opposition alleges Maharashtra govt purchased cancer diagnostic vans at inflated price, Speaker Rahul Narvekar orders inquiry
Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar Thursday directed the public health department to conduct an inquiry into the purchase of eight cancer diagnostic vans and submit its findings before the end of the Monsoon Session after the Opposition's allegations.
Opposition MLAs questioned the price at which each of the vans was purchased. 'As per the information I have, the price of each van was Rs 99 lakh, while a similar van of the Tata company can be purchased at Rs 45 lakh only. The entire purchase process looks managed and there can be no denying this,' said Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Bhaskar Jadhav.
Meghana Sakore-Bordikar, Minister of State for Public Health, stated that the purchase of eight cancer diagnostic vans was made through the government's GeM portal via a turnkey process. The rates at which purchases were made were 0.94 per cent less than the estimated rates. There was a competitive tender for the same. It involves the vehicle, medical equipment, furniture and customisation. There has been no corruption in the purchase,' said the minister.
She said three companies had participated in the tender process. 'At present, an inquiry is ongoing based on complaints from the legislators,' she said.
'The government has purchased eight cancer diagnostic vans. The price of a van cannot exceed Rs 40 lakh. The equipment in this van is not more than Rs 12 lakhs. However, the vehicles have been purchased at a higher price,' said Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar.
Wadettiwar said these vans are related to a life-threatening disease like cancer, and some of the equipment has even broken down. 'There should be an investigation into whether there has been corruption in this purchase. The report must come out if the investigation is ongoing,' he said. The Congress MLA asked the Speaker to ensure that the report is tabled before the house, before the end of the session.
'The inquiry must be conducted at the earliest and the report should be tabled before the House before the end of the session,' said Speaker Narvekar.
