‘Unsatisfactory’: Health Minister on Secretary’s reply to show-cause notice on medical procurement

Delhi's Health Minister, Pankaj Singh, has labeled the response from his department's Secretary, Rupesh Thakur, as "wholly unsatisfactory" concerning procurement-related inquiries. This directive came after Singh issued a show-cause notice to Thakur over the alleged delay in submitting an action plan for pending procurement of medicines, consumables, and medical equipment.

Despite numerous reminders, Singh remains dissatisfied with the reply provided by Thakur on August 12. According to Singh, merely stating that the matter is under investigation by authorities is not an adequate justification for withholding factual information from official records. The requested data includes procurement rates, GST, landed cost, quantities procured, and various other records such as specifications, supply orders, delivery particulars, and comparative procurement details for items like ORS sachets, bed sheets, and portable X-ray machines.

Singh clarified that payment bills are processed only following financial scrutiny as per the General Financial Rules, accompanied by supporting documents such as supply orders, invoices, GST details, inspection and acceptance reports, delivery challans, quantity verification certificates, and comparative statements. He emphasized that such records would typically be accessible through payment and accounts records, even if the original procurement files were under investigation.

Singh expressed disappointment with the incomplete and casual nature of Thakur's response, stating that it is unacceptable to provide such a cursory answer to specific queries. Consequently, Singh directed Thakur to personally ensure that all available records within the department are examined and furnished in a comprehensive manner by August 17.