THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan denied the Comptroller and Auditor General's (CAG) report that found huge irregularity in PPE kit purchases during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a response to the opposition claims inside the legislative assembly, CM Pinarayi Vijayan reiterated that the LDF government had worked tirelessly and honestly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
CM PINARAYI VIJAYAN:
“Government only gave priority to saving people's lives. There was a shortage of essentials and a PPE kit was very much needed. The government gave a befitting and clear reply to the CAG. The CAG report is bereft of the inflation factor nor the scarcity of essential items we endured during those times. The fake propaganda will not last long.
The government’s liquor policy is as clear as the sky. If the investors come, the government will encourage them. Tender is not applicable for industrial investment schemes. Rs 600 crore investment plans are on the cards. We don’t need to rely on Panchayat to get permission.”
It is mentioned in the CAG report that the government incurred an excess liability of Rs 10.23 crore during the Covid period and that the PPE kit was purchased by paying 300 per cent more than the market price. According to the report, the government bought the PPE kit for Rs 550 on March 28, 2020, and two days later bought the PPE kit from another company for Rs 1550.
The report mainly states that the Maharashtra-based company SAN Pharma paid the full amount in advance for the PPE kit, bypassing another company that promised to provide the PPE kit at a low cost.