Kolhapur: District collector Daulat Desai has ordered an enquiry into the procurement of masks, PPE kits, sanitisers, oximeters, thermal guns, medicines and other articles required for Covid-19 management.
Desai said that he has received several complaints from NGOs and individuals about most of the items being procured above the market price. He has directed health authorities to audit the procurement, recover the excess amount paid and file police complaint against suppliers supplying materials at higher rates.
“Taking undue advantage of the pandemic, suppliers have sold items at exorbitant rate. The suppliers have sold N-95 masks at higher rates than the actual market price. Such unfair trade practices need to stopped immediately,” said Desai. From the complainst that have poured into the district administration that the triple-layer masks, that cost Rs 20 per piece, was being sold at Rs 180. Medicines, such as Remdesivir, is being procured at higher rates than what has been fixed by the government.
The district administration has authorised the zilla parishad to procure kits, masks and medicines. The funds from the district development council, the state disaster relief fund and the National Health Mission are being utilised for procurement. The procured items are supplied to Covid hospitals and Covid care centres. Desai said he has asked to revise the orders if the rates finalised are more than actual market rates.
Desai said that he has received several complaints from NGOs and individuals about most of the items being procured above the market price. He has directed health authorities to audit the procurement, recover the excess amount paid and file police complaint against suppliers supplying materials at higher rates.
“Taking undue advantage of the pandemic, suppliers have sold items at exorbitant rate. The suppliers have sold N-95 masks at higher rates than the actual market price. Such unfair trade practices need to stopped immediately,” said Desai. From the complainst that have poured into the district administration that the triple-layer masks, that cost Rs 20 per piece, was being sold at Rs 180. Medicines, such as Remdesivir, is being procured at higher rates than what has been fixed by the government.
The district administration has authorised the zilla parishad to procure kits, masks and medicines. The funds from the district development council, the state disaster relief fund and the National Health Mission are being utilised for procurement. The procured items are supplied to Covid hospitals and Covid care centres. Desai said he has asked to revise the orders if the rates finalised are more than actual market rates.
