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Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Vadodara: Day after head of fire department, two other officers suspended over ‘scam', new appointees take charge
A day after Vadodara Municipal Commissioner Arun Mahesh Babu ordered the suspension of three officers, including Head of Department of Fire and Emergency Services Dr Devesh Patel, Chief Fire Officer Manoj Patil and Deputy Fire Officer Naitik Bhatt, the new officers appointed to the positions took charge on Wednesday. While Harendrasinh Chauhan has been appointed as the Chief Fire Officer, Amit Chaudhary has been given the charge of Deputy Fire Officer. The new appointments came a day after the suspensions of the three officials, including Dr Patel, who was also the Medical Officer, Health. The charge of the same has now been handed over to Dr Mukesh Vaidya. The suspensions came after an alleged scam in procurement of tools and items needed by the fire department came to light. Although the purchases were made by way of the government's e-marketplace portal and also passed through the Third Party Inspection (TPI) agency and the Vadodara Municipal Corporation's auditing department, besides the Standing Committee, officials said that the inflated prices 'went unnoticed'. An official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that several items in the tender, including whistles, lighters and mosquito nets had been bought at a cost of over Rs 3,500 each, for which tenders had been invited in February and March this year. The total procurement amount was Rs 3.17 crore for 16 pieces each of pocket knives, gas lighters, whistles and other tools. 'While a departmental inquiry is underway to ascertain how the discrepancy was not raised by the TPI and the auditing committee, the VMC is already staring at an internal controversy with the new appointments as those fire officials, who were hopeful of getting the posts vacated by Patil and Bhatt, have already sounded a rebellion… The fact is that no one pointed out the inflated cost of the items listed in the procurement list,' the official said.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
3 VMC fire dept officials suspended over overpriced equipment procurement
Vadodara: A pocket knife, gas lighter, mosquito net and water bottle all cost the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) fire and emergency services department Rs 3,639.71 apiece. Not only were the prices obscenely high, but identical prices for incomparable items also went through the system unnoticed as nobody was checking. This alleged procurement scam has led to the suspension of three officials, including chief fire officer Manoj Patil, deputy chief fire officer Naitik Bhatt and the then head of the fire department, Dr Devesh Patel, who is also the medical officer (health). The purchase was made by the fire brigade for expansion of services to newer areas and to deal with the floods. Bids were invited using the govt e-marketplace (GeM) portal. A third-party inspection (TPI) agency and the VMC auditing department were also involved, as was the standing committee. Yet, items worth Rs 3.17 crore were purchased with some items at hugely inflated prices. The fire department had raised the requirement for the tools, after which tenders were invited between Feb 27 and March 10. The tender scrutiny committee met to discuss the tenders on March 20, and a formal proposal was prepared for the standing committee. The standing committee cleared the proposal but reduced the number of inflatable boats and engines to eight each instead of the 16 demanded, along with other required equipment and accessories. As some other equipment was to be procured per boat, quantities should have been halved, but these were kept according to the original requirement of 16 boats, and a clarification in this regard was also put on record. It was these pieces of equipment and accessories that were priced obscenely high. Apart from 16 pocket knives, as well as an equal number of gas lighters and other items, the list included 16 emergency whistles that were priced at Rs 3,238.73 each, 16 rucksacks at Rs 10,919 apiece and some other items whose prices raise eyebrows. The total procurement amounted to Rs 3,17,67,149. VMC standing committee chairman Sheetal Mistry said the committee usually does not go into minute details of pricing of items as these are looked at by the administrative wing. "This was a procurement for disaster management and was done through the portal. Tender procedures were also followed. One must understand that we are not experts on such equipment," he said. Sources said the TPI agency only checks the specifications of the equipment and if the quality is up to the mark. The audit department only went through the bills and ensured that procedures were followed, the documentation was in order and the goods procured were in line with the quantity in the bill. The department was not supposed to investigate pricing. This led to the high prices not being red flagged. VMC commissioner Arun Mahesh Babu said the civic body was looking to streamline its procurement process after this incident and issue new advisories. On the extent of inflation in the prices, he said that this would become clear after a departmental inquiry. He, however, said that prices of some items were highly inflated.
Cision Canada
17-06-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
AtomVie Global Radiopharma and TerraPower Isotopes Announce Strategic Supply Agreement for Actinium-225 to Advance Radiopharmaceutical Development and Manufacturing
HAMILTON, ON, June 17, 2025 /CNW/ - AtomVie Global Radiopharma (AtomVie) and TerraPower Isotopes, LLC (TPI) today announced a supply agreement under which TPI will provide its high-quality Actinium-225 (Ac-225) 1 isotope to support AtomVie's contract development and manufacturing (CDMO) activities in radiopharmaceuticals, providing an added value to its clients with Ac-225-based programs. The aim is to strengthen the supply chain and accelerate the development and commercialization of targeted radiopharmaceutical therapies for cancer and other diseases. The agreement supports both AtomVie's early and late-stage development programs with pharmaceutical partners for global clinical and commercial pipelines. By securing a reliable supply of Ac-225, the agreement enhances flexibility and responsiveness across the entire product development lifecycle. "We are pleased to work with TerraPower Isotopes to ensure a supply of Actinium-225 for our clients. This reinforces our ability to meet the evolving needs of pharmaceutical partners by supporting their programs from development through to commercial supply. Together, we are advancing innovative therapies and improving patients' lives worldwide with high-quality radiopharmaceuticals." said Bruno Paquin, CEO of AtomVie. "Collaborating with AtomVie allows us to help advance the next generation of targeted radiopharmaceutical therapies. By combining access to our extremely pure Ac-225 with their development and manufacturing capabilities, we are proud to play a pivotal role in expanding treatments that have the potential to improve outcomes for patients." said Scott Claunch, President of TerraPower Isotopes. This supply agreement reflects the shared commitment of both organizations to advancing nuclear medicine innovation and expanding global access to cutting-edge radiotherapies. About AtomVie Global Radiopharma (AtomVie) AtomVie is a global leading CDMO for the GMP manufacturing and worldwide distribution of clinical and commercial radiopharmaceuticals. AtomVie offers the full range of scientific, technical, regulatory, quality and logistics combined with a specialized infrastructure for the development of radiopharmaceuticals from clinical studies to the commercial marketplace. AtomVie currently serves international clients conducting clinical studies in over 25 countries worldwide. AtomVie is currently building a new state-of-art purpose-built 72,300 sq ft facility, set to launch at the end of 2025. For more information, visit About TerraPower Isotopes (TPI) TerraPower Isotopes is bringing the next generation of isotopes to market. A subsidiary of TerraPower, a leading nuclear innovation company, TerraPower Isotopes applies innovative expertise and proven development methods to targeted alpha therapy. The company supports medical research by developing advanced radioisotope generators that enable the efficient and automated extraction of rare isotopes with life-saving potential. TerraPower Isotopes is increasing global access to Actinium-225, which may improve cancer treatments by destroying targeted cancer cells with minimal damage to healthy tissue. Learn more at About TerraPower TerraPower is a leading nuclear innovation company that strives to improve the world through nuclear energy and science. Since it was founded by Bill Gates and a group of like-minded visionaries, TerraPower has emerged as an incubator and developer of ideas and technologies that offer energy independence, environmental sustainability, medical advancement and other cutting-edge opportunities. It accepts and tackles some of the world's most difficult challenges. Behind each of its innovations and programs, TerraPower actively works to bring together the strengths and experiences of the world's public and private sectors to answer pressing global needs. SOURCE AtomVie Global Radiopharma Inc.
Business Standard
03-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
RITES emerges L1 bidder for a Gujarat Urban Development Company project
RITES is the lowest bidder (L-1) in the financial bid of the QCBS tender floated by Gujarat Urban Development Company for Appointment of TPI agency for WSS/UGD/STP projects under Amrut 2.0/SJMMSVY under GUDC for ULBs of Gujarat. The order is subject to award after the due process of scrutiny and overall evaluation (technical and financial) by the Gujarat Urban Development Company as per the requisite requirements mentioned in the tender documents. The estimated value of the bid is Rs. 28.50 crore excluding GST.
Hindustan Times
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Sitapur water tank collapse: Over a dozen govt staff face action
LUCKNOW The Uttar Pradesh government on Thursday dismissed and suspended over a dozen employees in Sitapur where a newly constructed water tank built under the Jal Jeevan Mission collapsed earlier in the day. The construction agency and the agency that checked the quality of the construction have also been blacklisted. As per reports, the water tank collapsed in Chunka village in Mahmudabad area of Sitapur district. However, no casualties have been reported so far. The locals said the tank had been supplying water to the village for the past two months and it was constructed at an estimated cost of ₹531.50 lakh ( ₹5.31 crore). This is the second incident within a year in Sitapur district involving the collapse of a Jal Jeevan Mission water tank. Last year, a tank in Chitahala village of Maholi constituency had collapsed during its trial run, leading to similar allegations of poor construction and negligence. BJP MLA from Mahmudabad, Asha Maurya, in a post on X said, 'Information was received about the collapse of a water tank built in Chunka village of Mahmudabad. The concerned officials had already been informed about the substandard work done under Jal Shakti Mission.' 'The result of negligence in work due to collusion of water corporation officials and contractors was seen today. Please take strict punitive action against the lax related officers and contractors,' she said. A state government officer said the junior engineer and assistant engineer of Jal Nigam (rural), who were monitoring the construction of the tank, have been suspended. A departmental inquiry has been initiated against the executive engineer of Jal Nigam (rural), assistant engineer and junior engineer. The assistant engineer and the junior engineer of the state drinking water and sanitation mission have been dismissed with immediate effect. Instructions have been given to remove the district in-charge of third-party inspection (TPI) who checked the quality of the construction with immediate effect. A 5% liquidated damage penalty has been imposed on the construction agency as well. A high-level committee has been formed for the preliminary investigation of the case. The committee will consist of a chief engineer of Jal Nigam (rural), a chief engineer of the state drinking water and sanitation mission and a superintending engineer of the department. The committee has been directed to submit its report within three days. The officer said, more than 16,000 tanks constructed to supply the water under Jal Jeevan Mission had been successfully tested. Out of 16,000 tanks, complaints of damage have been received regarding five tanks. In the case of tank damage, action has been taken against those responsible for it with immediate effect, he said. (With agency inputs)
