MADURAI
Citing a report of Comptroller and Auditor General of India officials, the TN Legislative Assembly Accounts Committee chairman Selvaperunthagai said that drugs procured to the tune of over ₹16 crore in 2018-19 by the officials in Madurai reflected mismanagement and maladministration.
The members of the TN Accounts Committee, who were here on Tuesday, visited the elevated corridor under construction on New Natham Road, a government women’s hostel in Chinna Chokkikulam, Government Rajaji Hospital, etc. They were accompanied by Minister for Commercial Taxes and Registration P. Moorthy and Collector S. Aneesh Shekhar.
Speaking to reporters after a review meeting held with officials from various departments at the Collectorate, Mr Selvaperunthagai said that the audit report pointed out numerous lapses such as why there was so high a requirement to procure drugs worth ₹16 crore. There were neither manufacturing date nor expiry date on many drugs
“The Committee has decided to summon the officials to Chennai and hold an inquiry at the Secretariat. We will also discuss with the Health Secretary in this regard,” he responded to a query.
In future, the government would be cautious while procurement of drugs. There will be transparency and only based on need it shall be purchased. More than fixing the politicians responsible for the anomalies, the officials concerned would be taken to task as it was they who had placed orders with the pharmaceutical companies and approved vendors.
“We are conducting random inspections across the State and will submit our findings. There may be serious lapses in other districts too in drug procurement. We need to check,” the chairman said and added that the erring officials were issued memos seeking explanation.
