Health Minister Naba Kishore Das on Sunday dismissed all allegations of corruption in procurement of masks and PPE kits by the State Medicine Corporation.
“Purchase prices of masks and PPEs have been fixed by the Union Government. The PPE kits were purchased from the Centre-run HLL Life Care and masks from approved suppliers of the ICMR. Hence, the allegations of irregularities are not only untenable but also aimed at misleading the public,” said the Minister.
Das informed that the Central Government had on March 21 written to States to purchase masks at Rs 10 per piece. After 3 days on 24 March, it again directed States to purchase masks at Rs 16 per piece.
Likewise, PPE kits have been purchased from the HLL Life Care. The other equipments are being purchased from the organisations approved by the ICMR. Thus, there is no question of any corruption in the purchases, he said.
“Under the leadership of CM Naveen Patnaik, Odisha has emerged as one of the better performing States in managing the coronavirus epidemic. The number of deaths due to the virus has not even touched two digit number and we have also been one of the most transparent States in terms of disclosure of cases. There are vested interests that are certainly not pleased with Odisha's success and are therefore attempting to discredit the good work of the Government,” said Das.
He urged the media to highlight the facts and put speculations to rest.