From the many healthcare professionals who have put their own safety and wellbeing on the line, to many others who donated their money and resources to assist in the fight, it has been heartwarming to see this display of heroism and selflessness. At the same time, there are instances when a crisis such as this one can show a completely different picture.
On August 20, Herald reported on the prices that the government paid to procure medicines and equipment for the treatment of COVID-19 patients and the management of the pandemic. As per the documents that Herald has got possession of, the prices paid by the government to the suppliers of the items are all above the market value of the products. The report in Herald clearly indicates that the government, which could have got the products at reduced rates as it was purchasing in bulk quantities, instead paid far higher amounts than it should have. The government has to come clear on the procurement as this has the scent of a scam which cannot be ignored.
For weeks Goa was coasting along safe in the knowledge that it was in a Green Zone, until the COVID-19 cases erupted. The spread of cases placed a major question mark on the ability of the government to manage the situation. But, this procurement amounts to misappropriation of funds, and it comes at a time when not only is the government cash-strapped, but there exists a humanitarian crisis where people are fighting for their lives. While there is no specific estimate of the total amount spent on COVID-19 medicine and equipment procurement, questions are being asked regarding the exorbitant prices of ventilators, PPE kits, masks and sanitisers, that has amounted to crores of rupees.
Taking a look at the situation with an unbiased mind, we admit that when the lockdown began on March 22 and the panic of the virus pervaded the State, there would naturally have been a shortage of items like PPE kits, masks, gloves, which due to the nationwide lockdown could have got delayed in transportation. Nonetheless, this would be for just a short period. Essentials were not stopped from being transported, so medical supplies were always permitted. Besides, since the government was buying in bulk, why did it choose to buy at maximum retail price (MRP)? Wasn’t there any room for bargaining?
There are pharmacies – which in this instance are among the suppliers to the government for the COVID-19 procurement – that offer discounts to the people on purchases above a certain amount. In this case, the purchases by the government amounted to lakhs and crores of rupees and so it is surprising why the government had to buy at the MRP. Now, even after the lockdowns have been lifted, the State continues to buy at the same high prices. Why?
The State needs answers to the questions and these can come only if there is an impartial inquiry in the matter. This is the people’s money, used from the taxes paid by them. It cannot be squandered and allowed to be misused by the government. While we would like to see the government take action in this case, there always exists the possibility that this too may be swept under the carpet. For, strangely, the opposition in Goa, which has been stridently criticising the government for its omissions in the COVID-19 management, has been eerily silent on this occasion. That’s some food for thought.
