Probe ordered into purchase of equipment from foreign firms

Srinagar, Oct 13 (UNI) A Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in Jammu and Kashmir has ordered an inquiry into the purchases of specialised equipment from foreign firms which resulted in considerable loss by way of delayed supply and other transit-related issues.

The PAC of the state Assembly, which met here with legislator Ajay Kumar Sadhotra of the National Conference (NC) in chair, asked Health and Medical Education Principal Secretary Anil Goswami to fix responsibility on the errant officials.

In the meeting, the PAC discussed the overall functioning of the Health and Medical Education Department and its allied wings.

Stressing for streamlining the procedure of purchases, it asked the Health and Medical Education department to seek technical advice from professional experts before going for purchases of specialised equipment. This would ensure that the equipment purchased could be put in use immediately after procurement and the benefit has reached to the concerned.

The Committee also deliberated on the audit paras of CAG's Report for 1999-2000 pertaining to the department which dealt with purchase of specialised equipment by the Controller, Drug and Food Control Organisation, six laparoscopic surgical units by the Director Health Services, Jammu and close circuit medical video system and Odelca X-ray camera with photo timer by the Principal Government Medical College, Jammu.

It observed that departments have not applied cautious approach especially while placing orders with foreign firms and consequently these suffered a considerable loss by way of delayed supply and other transit-related issues.

The PAC directed for extra cautious approach while making purchases in future to avoid recurrence of such situations.

Meanwhile, the Committee asked Mr Goswami to hold an inquiry into the purchases made by these departments and fix responsibility against the errant officials.

The Committee also decided to go for an the on-spot inspection of equipment and records to ascertain whether the equipment have actually put to use and the benefit percolated down to the needy.

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