Probe should be conducted to find if there is connection between godown fire and glove deal during Covid period: VD Satheesan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Leader of the Opposition V.D Satheesan demanded that an investigation should be conducted to find out if the fire at the Thiruvananthapuram warehouse of the Kerala Medical Services Corporation has any connection with the corruption in the procurement of gloves during the Covid-19 pandemic.

"During the Covid period, an order was issued regulating the price by putting 15 items, including PPE kits and gloves, in the category of essential medicines. The Medical Services Corporation violated this by deciding to procure one crore gloves from Agrata Avon Exim, which was based in Kazhakootam, at a rate of Rs 12.15. The order to import nitrile gloves worth 12.15 crores was signed by the assistant manager of the Karunya Purchase Department. A correction was made in the contract document by adding that payment should be made within 5 days after the invoice is prepared instead of 45 days. The condition that the product should have at least 60 percent usage duration was also omitted. One crore gloves were ordered in two purchase orders and a cheque for the advance amount was issued on the third day. Although the contract was cancelled on the grounds that only 41.6 lakh gloves were delivered within 15 days, the remaining Rs 1 crore of advance payment for 50 lakh gloves has not been recovered yet. Jacob Scientifics and Liberty Med Suppliers, who got the contract when the tender was called again, supplied the gloves at a lower price of Rs 8.78 and Rs 7 respectively," Satheesan said.