Thiruvananthapuram: More skeletons are tumbling out of the cupboard of the Kerala Medical Services Corporation Limited (KMSCL). The latest revelation is that the KMSCL ordered the import of Nitrile gloves for a whopping Rs 12.15 crore from Malaysia without even the knowledge of its Managing Director and the supply order was given to a local party experienced in distribution of vegetables!
The purchase order worth crores of rupees was signed by the Assistant Manager at the Karunya Pharmacy Purchase Division.
In another instance of gross irregularity, two important clauses in the order were tampered with using a pen in the computer printout in order to suit the interests of the supplier company.
By bypassing the order issued by the State Government on the maximum chargeable price of gloves, the State Government entered into this agreement.
The gloves were imported without inviting tenders or quotations when there was not much scarcity for gloves in the domestic market. The gloves, which were first imported from Malaysia to the medical institutions in England, were later imported to Kerala. The question still lingers on the mind of many why these gloves were not used in England.
It was from March, 2020 that the government started procuring emergency products to meet the needs during the COVID-19 crisis. The State Government had given permission to the KMSCL to go for emergency purchases under the Disaster Management Act. But by April-May, the products became available in the market.
The State Government through its orders issued on May 14 and May 27, classified 15 products, including glove and PPE kit, as essential items. In the first order, the maximum price for gloves was fixed at Rs 5.75 for one piece and in the second order, it was fixed at Rs 7. It was for the same gloves that the KMSCL gave orders for purchase for Rs 12.15 for one piece.
By ignoring earlier precedents, Rs 6.07 crore was given to the supplier company by the KMSCL. Two main clauses in the agreement were corrected by using a pen to strike the deal. In the clause that "after preparing the invoice, money should be given in 45 days ", the time period "45 days" was changed to "5 days".
The clause that the product should have 60 percent shelf life has been completely struck off. An order for supply of one crore gloves was given in two purchase orders (1634, 1635). Later, a cheque for advance payment was given to the supplier company within three days.
The details such as production date, expiry date and maximum selling price were not written anywhere on the products imported to Kerala.
The supply order was given to an establishment in Kazhakootam, which had no previous experience in the medical field. The supplier company, which was active in procurement and distribution of vegetables, switched over to the sale of medical equipment just a year ago.
The website of the supplier company remains inactive. Moreover, the annual turnover of the company is also not yet known, making everything dubious.
