LAGATAR24 NETWORK
Ranchi, May 30: The genome sequencing machine that was purchased for the state’s lone medical hospital, RIMS, has come under the scanner as it was purchased for Rs 5.33 crore without a tender.
Even though the machine arrived at the RIMS campus on March 29, 2022, after all the three waves of Corona have passed, the equipment remains unusable and idle, even though it might have been a game-changer for the state.
On March 31, 2020, Departmental Resolution No. 107 (HSM) approved the purchase of this equipment. On November 12, 2021, the Office of the Chief Secretary addressed a letter to the Additional Chief Secretary of the Health Department on the resolution’s prohibition. The letter arrived at the Health Secretary’s office at a time when the machine had not yet been purchased.
Now, several questions emerge in the acquisition of a genome sequencing machine, including:
- The equipment was purchased without a tender for Rs 5.33 crore.
- The procurement of the machine was based on a departmental resolution. The letter prohibiting this was sent by the Chief Secretary’s office in November 2021.
- Jharkhand Medical and Health Infrastructure Development and Procurement Corporation Limited (JMHIDPCL) is in charge of the health department’s acquisition. However, no request for the machine’s purchase was issued to JMHIDPCL.
- Even after the third wave of Covid-19 had ended, there was a rush to buy the machine.
- The machine’s objective was to help the people of the state; however, it is yet to be operational.
- The key officers of the health department, including the Mission Director, MD of JMHIDPCL, and Director of Finance, have been transferred in the recent six months. Despite defying the Chief Secretary of State’s orders, the Additional Chief Secretary of the Health Department has stayed in his position.
According to the information, the matter of payment for the purchase of the Genome Sequencing Machine is stuck on the table of the Director of National Health Mission Jharkhand. None of the senior officers of the Mission, even the Mission Director is taking interest in the payment process execution. According to the explanation, the machine was purchased by breaking the regulations.
The director of finance was relocated on April 1 owing to non-payment of the machine until March 31, 2022, according to information received, and the situation is becoming more problematic. It is also claimed that the machine was purchased for a higher price than the market price.
According to sources, the Jharkhand Government’s Health Department performed several wonderful things during the Corona time, for which the people of the state are appreciative. However, any work done in violation of the guidelines should be investigated.
On November 12, 2021, the Chief Secretary’s office addressed a letter to the Additional Chief Secretary, Health Department, Government of Jharkhand.
“The letter of the Health Department’s Resolution No. 107 (HSM) dated March 31, 2020, is enclosed for your review, and it was brought to reduce delays in procurement of vital medications, equipment, and other materials within normal process during the Corona outbreak. With the permission of the Council of Ministers, the requirement to purchase materials exceeding 1 lakh 50 thousand through tender was relaxed under Rule 235 of the Financial Rules. The loosening of financial rules cannot be sustained indefinitely. In any case, the corona pandemic situation has greatly improved. At the moment, financial regulations allow for the purchase of medicines, supplies, and equipment. Therefore, it is requested that a proposal to repeal this resolution should be brought before the Council of Ministers as soon as possible. Also, the implementation of this resolution has stayed till further orders,” the letter read.
