KATHMANDU: The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has started an investigation into the purchase of medical supplies from China.
After complaints lodged claiming irregularities in the procurement, the anti-graft body on Thursday quizzed Director General at the Department of Health Services Mahendra Shrestha on the alleged scam.
“I was summoned this afternoon. I returned after discussions for about half an hour,” Director General Shrestha told Khabarhub, “I was quizzed on the issue. No irregularities have been made. I am confident.”
CIAA Spokesperson Pradeep Kumar Koirala said that an investigation has been started and it was a regular process.
A recent purchase of medical supplies from China has courted controversy.
The government on Wednesday had scrapped what has been billed as ‘controversial procurement deal’ with the Omni Group which was entrusted to bring medical equipment from China to tackle the novel coronavirus.
It should be added that the Omni group was prepared to import some 100,000 units of protective goggles at Rs 2100 per piece, 100,000 surgical masks at Rs 30 per piece, 100,000 gowns at Rs 1900 per piece, and 80,000 N-95 respirator masks at Rs 850 per piece.
The government was set to buy some 200,000 ordinary surgical gloves at Rs 22 per piece and 7,000 thick gloves at around Rs 125 each, according to the Ministry.
Likewise, the government was also preparing to purchase some 15,000 units of scrub tops at Rs 1000 per piece.
It had also ordered some 9,000 face shield plastics at Rs 300 per unit, among others.
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