C'garh Govt to purchase medicines through e-tendering

Raipur, Sep 30 (UNI) The Chhattisgarh Government has started e-tendering service that would enable purchase of medicines worth Rs 70 crore at Rs 50 crore thereby preventing corruption.

Health Minister Amar Agrawal told UNI here that government officials, middlemen and drug manufacturers together dupe most state governments in medicine purchase.

''Medicines are procured by sub-standard companies, while good companies are left out of race due to corruption. However, the nexus will end with e-tendering,'' he said.

He said he went into detail into the matter on assuming charge as the Health Minister last year and found that medicines were being supplied at different rates in different districts.

Since medicines were purchased at district level, companies supplied medicines at district level and hence there was no transparency.

Mr Agrawal said he banned medicine purchase at district level though he faced opposition.

Some people tried to create an atmosphere that change in procurement had led to scarcity of medicines in hospitals and consequent death of patients. However, these allegations were proved false.

Under these circumstances, implementation of new purchase mechanism was extended by 3-4 months. The new system provides for central medicine purchase at state level.

District Chief Medical and Health Officers (CMHOs) would inform about their requirments to directorate. Later, medicines would be purchased utilising the e-tendering system. The government would make efforts that big companies take part in tender.

The Health Minister said districts continue to retain the right to purchase emergency medicines to the tune of Rs 25,000.

He admitted that corruption existed in purchase of medical equipment and sub-standard equipment were being supplied.

An order has been issued to start e-tendering in their purchase.

Participation of manufacturers of high-quality equipment would be ensured.

UNI AS-PS 1416