AIZAWL, May 2 - The Mizoram Congress has lodged a complaint with the State Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB), an autonomous body, alleging that there were irregularities in the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE) sets and other safety gear. The Congress also alleged the sets of coveralls were �substandard� and �not fit for use�, and that the materials were not bought from approved suppliers.
State Health and Family Welfare Board Vice Chairman and ruling MNF MLA Dr ZR Thiamsanga denied the allegation and said �no public money was wasted in the procurement and none of the PPEs were rejected�.
The State Government had spent �Rs 99 lakh for purchasing a batch of 10,900 PPEs and other medical equipment weighing 1,979 kg,� Congress leader Lalhriatpuia claimed.
�The consignment was supplied here on March 27 from New Delhi through a cargo flight, and it was a wasteful expenditure as the products were faulty and not fit for use,� he said, adding that the party has requested the ACB to probe the matter. The Congress alleged that the Government had also spent Rs 16.2 lakh from the State Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Department for arranging the cargo flight.
Any procurement, which had not been made through the State Purchase Advisory Board, was a �gross violation of law�, the party leader said. � PTI
