Graft charges in COVID purchase tarnish Naveen govt’s efficient image

For over two months, the Odisha government has received accolades from all quarters for efficient management of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, with the growing attack from the Opposition over alleged ‘irregularities’ in the purchase of medical equipment and protective gear to combat the spread of the virus, the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government now finds itself on the back foot.

The Odisha government on June 5 relieved Hemant Sharma, the principal secretary of industries department, of the duty of supervision of procurement of all essential pharmaceutical goods and other critical care equipment for COVID-related treatment. Sharma’s ouster came after the Congress raised a stinker over the procurement strategy of the government, asking how masks, PPEs, and testing kits were bought at different rates from different suppliers.

On the same day, nine other senior IAS officers were withdrawn from COVID-19 duty in a bid to send “new warriors” to continue the long fight against the disease.

Earlier, in the second week of May, the then health and family welfare secretary was shifted to a different department. However, that didn’t raise many eyebrows.

Disparity in orders, versions  

The Odisha State Medical Corporation Limited, (OSMCL), had issued purchase order for triple-layer face masks to a Faridabad-based company on April 15. The order was placed at ₹9.90 per unit. However, two days later, it placed another order for the same quality of masks with a Tamil Nadu-based firm, at ₹16 per piece. Interestingly, while 5 lakh masks were ordered at ₹9.90 per unit, around 30 lakh masks were ordered at ₹16 per unit.

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Even though state health minister NK Das dismissed any wrongdoing, and said that the prices were revised as per the Union government’s guidelines, the Opposition questioned as to why the state government purchased triple-layered masks for ₹16 per piece while the Centre in its guideline had clearly mentioned that the masks cannot be sold for more than ₹10.

The opposition also alleged that testing kits were procured from three companies at different rates. “This is not all. There are glaring anomalies in purchase of every item including ventilators for COVID management,” senior Congress leader Sudarsan Das alleged.

Incidentally, the shunted officer, Sharma, during a COVID briefing in April, had said that the trust of chief minister Naveen Patnaik in his officers was praiseworthy. The officers entrusted with buying COVID equipment travelled with two cheques, one with the required amount written on them and another a blank cheque. They would ensure the quality check of the equipment, pay the vendor and take delivery of the machines in record time, Sharma had said.

“The government should clarify whether the chief minister actually allows his officers to carry blanks cheques along with signed ones for purchase of COVID materials. An officer can’t make such a tall statement publicly,” Das said, adding, “if it happened in the ignorance of the chief minister, then the case is really grave.”

A week before the rescinding of officers, there was also confusion as the state government refused to take delivery of PPEs, masks, and sanitisers brought in more than 20 trucks that were stranded near the OSMCL warehouse in Bhubaneswar. However, finally, the procurement committee decided to purchase the PPE kits from the suppliers.

Incidentally, OSMCL had floated a tender inviting procurement of the kits. Though the initial deadline was the month of July, it was abruptly ended in May. OSMCL, officials maintained, that they had informed the suppliers that it would not accept delivery after May 26. The government’s plea was that it had enough stock of PPE kits.

Opposition up in arms

While the Congress has demanded a high-level independent inquiry, principal opposition party BJP, despite its perceivable closeness with the ruling BJD pressed for an impartial probe into the matter.

“An impartial probe is needed into the matter as several bigwigs of state government are involved,” said a senior state BJP leader. “It’s only a tip of the iceberg. A high-level independent inquiry will unearth the mischief,” Das said.

Criticising the state government, former Odisha cadre IAS turned BJP’s Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi said it showed the insecurity of the government. “Right from the beginning, they have failed to maintain transparency.”

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According to Sarangi, just relieving an officer of an additional charge has no meaning, at all. “Who is answerable to this loss to the exchequer? What about the recovery part, the government must tell the people,” Sarangi demanded. “It’s a classic case of adhocism. This government is best known for its knee-jerk reactions, it doesn’t have a clear cut plan in place,” she added.

However, the BJD rubbished the allegations. “There is no corruption at all. In an emergency, the government has to make purchase of required materials then and there adhering to the specified norms. The opposition should refrain from making any wild allegations. If they have any evidence which they can substantiate, definitely there will be enquiry,” a senior BJD leader told The Federal.

In the midst of the political mud-slinging contest, activists view that the Lokpal’s role is extremely essential to ensure accountability in the system. “The office of the Lokpal should rise to the occasion,” said former Odisha information commissioner and activist Jagadananda.

The timing of the controversy couldn’t have been more improper. It has surfaced at a time when the state is witnessing a spurt in cases; worryingly, all the 30 districts of the state are on the COVID map. Patnaik in a televised message had said that June was the most crucial month in the fight against coronavirus.

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Last year, his government, not only introduced the much-publicised 5T charter for efficiency and transparency in governance but in a tough stance against corruption also removed 74 officials from service on charges of corruption while 15 others were served with compulsory retirement notices.