Not satisfied with the reply given by the Department of Health & Family Welfare (DoHFW) to their RTI application filed on April 25, the four applicants have reportedly moved for specific replies to their queries. The four applicants—Niketu Iralu, Robert N Solo, Kuolachalie Seyie and Visedel Kin—sought information from the DoHFW on how much money was received by the department for COVID-19 preparedness and how much was spent.
Most surprisingly, it was disclosed that the DoHFW had provided information about purchases etc pertaining only to the period after March 20, 2020. The applicant further added that purchases and expenditure pertaining to the period prior to March 20, 2020 was not made available by the DoHFW.
In the first application, the four had sought information on how much money was received for COVID-19 preparedness and how much was spent for every specific item etc. According to the reply given by the DoHFW, a total of Rs.41,43,88,000 was received till April 25,2020 and of which, Rs.12,27,24,000 was the expenditure to contain COVID-19 pandemic. The DoHFW further stated that the balance remaining was Rs.29,16,64,000. However, the DoHFW added that an amount of Rs.30,50,26,000 crore “payment due” and the projected deficit was Rs.1,33,62,000.
As per the figure above, (A) Money received – (B)Purchases =(C)balance(Rs.29,27,24,000). According to the DoHFW, it still needs Rs.1,33,62,000 (deficit) to make a total payment due Rs.30,50,26,000.
The question is, why can’t Rs.29,27,24,000 crore be released against Rs.30,50,26,000 crore payment due, instead of keeping it pending just for a deficit of Rs.1,33,62,000?
The RTI also sought to know whether a Procuring Board (PB) was in place to decide on terms and conditions for indent of PPE, ventilators, masks, surgical gloves, drugs, name(s) of registered suppliers/manufacturers and whether a Quality Control Committee (QCC) was also in place to specify the desired quality, to inspect the items supplied and receive them?
One of the applicants told Nagaland Post that the replies appeared vague and at times quite confusing which led to suspicion that it was an attempt at cover up.
It was also disclosed that the quality of PPE was not of desired standard and which also bore testimony to the hue and cry raised earlier by COVID-19 medical team. It may also be noted that some of the private hospitals have opted to use PPE of their choice as the PPE provided by the government were found to be “very ordinary” and not of good quality.
Another shocking revelation was that drugs/medicines supplied were purchased with hardly a month before expiry. The RTI applicant said it was left to anyone’s conclusion as to the compelling reasons for purchase of large quantities of nearly-expired medicines.
Another revelation from the applicant was that the Dead Body Bags (DBBs), which were meant to place bodies of COVID-19 victims for disposal, were of very inferior quality. It was disclosed that the DBBs looked like ordinary cement bags. The stitches were also very loose and porous and would prove highly risky when body fluids escape through them.
It was also believed that all the decisions and purchases etc were done without following proper procedures through table tenders from pre-selected firms. The applicant said it would be another matter if purchases were indented at approved rates and quality from genuine manufacturers.
Further, it was also disclosed that as the replies to the RTI were totally unsatisfactory, the applicants will submit representations to the Governor and the Lokayukta.
It was also revealed that another party has already decided to take up the matter in the form of PIL in the high court.