Lagatar24 Desk
Jamshedpur: Senior legislator and Jamshedpur West MLA Saryu Rai has raised serious concerns over the functioning of Jharkhand’s Health Department, alleging a lack of transparency and accountability in drug procurement. In a letter to the Health Minister, Rai demanded that all medicines be purchased strictly through open tenders to ensure fair pricing and quality control.
Seeks Inquiry Report on Drug Purchase Irregularities
Rai mentioned that he had repeatedly raised questions in the State Assembly regarding irregularities in medicine procurement. The government had assured the formation of a three-member inquiry committee, but even after a year, neither the committee’s report was shared with him nor submitted to the Assembly Secretariat. “If the department has confirmed receiving the report, why is it being withheld?” Rai questioned in his letter.
Criticism of Overpriced Procurement from Central PSUs
The MLA also criticised the department’s decision to procure medicines from Central government public sector undertakings (PSUs) at higher prices. He said that, unlike other states where tenders are used to secure cost-effective and quality medicines, Jharkhand’s approach lacked transparency. “Drug purchases should be tender-based to ensure the government and the people get value for money,” he stated.
Call for Immediate Ministerial Intervention
Rai urged the Health Minister to personally intervene, make the inquiry report public, and reform the procurement system to be fully tender-driven and transparent. He emphasized that such a step would restore public trust and ensure better use of taxpayer funds in the health sector.
