AAP sees ‘scam’ in Covid kits procurement in UP but ‘ignores’ inflated prices in Delhi; Is it just political posturing?

New Delhi: India is in the severe grip of Covid-19 pandemic, with around 85,000-90,000 cases being reported on daily basis. The unprecedented crisis calls for a collective and co-ordinated combat against the deadly virus but that does not seem to be the case with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) led by Arvind Kejriwal.

In last few days, few AAP leaders namely Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh and AAP MLA Saurabh Bhardwaj went all guns blazing against the UP government alleging widespread scam in procurement of Covid-19 kits and related medical equipments.

They alleged that Yogi government was ‘reaping benefits’ of rampant corruption in times of Corona. Sanjay Singh claimed that people of the state were being looted as several gram panchayats purchased Oximeters and thermometers at rates, much higher than the market price. Bhardwaj too claimed 300-500% hike in procurement of these equipments in as many as 65 districts of the state.

However, a detailed report by Social and Political Research Foundation (run by seasoned journalists like Ram Bahadur Rai, Pushpesh Kumar Pant and Jawahar Lal Kaul) draws the clear picture on alleged discrepancies.

Padma Shri Ram Bahadur Rai is a veteran in the field, with decades of experience. Having served as news editor of Jansatta, he has also authored & edited many books and mentored many writers. His biographies on former Prime Ministers Chandrashekhar and VP Singh were a huge hit. During Emergency, he was closely associated with JP movement and was a key member of the steering committee.

The Foundation goes on to compare inflated prices of Covid-19 kits, as alleged, in both states and finds out ‘irregularities’ in Delhi purchases rather than Uttar Pradesh.

Procurement of Oximeters and Thermometers in Uttar Pradesh

On June 23, UP govt had issued orders for the procurement of pulse oximeters and infrared thermometers and sanitizers as part of the COVID-19 surveillance kits to be made available at the gram panchayat level. A one-time fund transfer was also made for the same from the state finance commission.

The procurement was to be done under 3 categories –

1. For equipments upto Rs 20,000, Gram Panchayat chief could finalize the details
2. For equipments costing Rs 20,000 – Rs 1 lakh, supplier/vendor had to give a formal quotation
3. For equipments above Rs 1 lakh – Procurement was to be done through an official tender

Following this, Gram Pradhans across various districts made purchases, however with varying prices.

As per official figures, the highest procurement cost for Oximeter was Rs 2400 for 6 pieces in Muzaffarnagar and lowest was Rs 700/- in Rampur. Similarly, for Infrared thermometers, highest purchasing cost was Rs 2,800/- in Gonda while lowest was Rs 1,200/- in Sonbhadra district.

EXPLAINED: Why price variation in Covid-19 kit/related medical equipment

There indeed was variation in prices of Covid-related equipments but it’s because of the period of its purchase. When the pandemic broke out, production was less, equipments were limited and therefore govt had to shell out more for emergency purchase, as saving lives of people and healthcare workers was and is first priority.

However, as months passed and production was ramped up, the same products became available at lower rates.

(Courtesy: Social and Political Research Foundation)

#  Infrared thermometer costed Rs 5,928/- in March, Rs 3,336/- in April and Rs 2538/- in May
#  Oximeter was priced at Rs 1,392 in May and Rs 1,163/- in June
#  PPE kits were priced at Rs 1.087/- in March, Rs 950/- in April, Rs 367/- in May and Rs 275/- in July.

So, the numbers clearly suggest that prices of same products changed over a period of time because of market dynamics. In a few instances like Sultanpur, the DM stated that purchases were made owing to the urgency of situation. However, after government’s guidelines, all orders at inflated rates were cancelled.

But, the Opposition parties saw an opportunity in this crisis and painted it as scam to score political points. The numbers speak for themselves and is enough to expose their double standards, their political posturing.

UP govt formed SIT to probe ‘expensive’ Covid-19 kits

As allegations of irregularities in purchase of pulse oximeters and thermometers at much higher than market rates spread, the UP govt formed a three-member SIT team to probe into it. Yogi government, known for its adherence to zero-tolerance policy took no time in acknowledging the claims and took the corrective step.

Discrepancies in Delhi Covid-19 kits procurement

AAP leaders went overboard in targeting the Yogi government over alleged irregularities but failed to oversee the glaring discrepancies in their own backyard.

Social and Political Research Foundation has pointed out many ‘irregularities and unreasonable decisions’ in purchasing and procurement of Covid-19 kits and related medical equipments.

Quoting figures, it shows that rates didn’t decline in Delhi as the pandemic progressed rather it kept on increasing, a question that defies logic.

# Oximeter was priced at Rs 1,409/- in June, Rs 2,103/- in July and Rs 1,697/- in August
# Hand sanitiser was priced at Rs 149/- in June, Rs 160/- in July and Rs 169/- in August

(Courtesy: Social and Political Research Foundation)

Moreover, certain procurements were made at unreasonably high and exorbitant costs.

# Infrared thermometer was procured at Rs 8,250/- in June by Education Department, at Rs 9,000/- in August

#  Oximeters was procured at Rs 66,320/- per piece in June by Health Department, same was purchased at Rs 3,000/- per piece in August by Forest Department

Other variations can be seen in table below.

(Courtesy: Social and Political Research Foundation)

Stoking controversy over ‘scam’ in Covid kits procurement is a welcome step but this calls for equal scrutiny. In UP, Yogi government has already ordered probe but irregularities in Delhi and also Punjab has remained unnoticed, unreported and un-probed.