Punjab Newsline | New Delhi
Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) has made a major breakthrough in the alleged drug and medical equipment procurement scam in Delhi's Health Department by arresting former Central Procurement Agency (CPA) chief Dr. Vinod Kumar Ranga.
Investigators allege that large-scale irregularities in the government procurement process were carried out to favour selected private companies, resulting in losses worth crores of rupees to the state exchequer.
Dr. Ranga was arrested on June 18 and produced before a court on June 19, which remanded him to four days of police custody. The ACB is now expanding its investigation to examine the alleged involvement of other government officials, private suppliers, and beneficiaries linked to the procurement process.
According to the ACB, the Delhi Government's Directorate of Vigilance received complaints regarding serious irregularities in health-related purchases. The probe reportedly found that certain officials and private individuals conspired to manipulate tender conditions and technical specifications, effectively excluding genuine competitors and ensuring contracts were awarded to select firms.
The investigation alleges that medicines, surgical supplies, portable X-ray machines, C-arm radiological equipment, anaesthesia workstations, bedsheets, linen, and other medical items were procured at prices significantly higher than prevailing market rates.
The ACB also claimed that several crucial files related to the procurement of portable X-ray machines, radiological equipment, anaesthesia workstations, ORS supplies, medicines, and bedsheets were not made available during the investigation. These documents were allegedly under the personal supervision of Dr. Ranga and are suspected to have been deliberately removed to conceal evidence.
Officials further stated that during questioning, Dr. Ranga was unable to provide satisfactory explanations regarding the missing files and other aspects of the alleged procurement irregularities. The investigation into the case remains ongoing.
