Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 19:
Reacting to the news item which appeared on the December 15 issue of this paper under the caption, "Health Dept caught with its pants down," the State Health Department has today clarified that there has been no excess payment to a Delhi based firm.
In a statement, the Health Department said that in March 2003, it had placed two supply orders dated March 15th for 8 OT table with accessories worth Rs 35,65,500 and non-medicine articles of 37 items worth Rs 39,82,736.The firm supplied all the 8 OT tables but for the non-medicine items, only a few of them have been delivered, said the statement adding that the value of the 8 OT table, including installation charges of Rs 5,13,432, is Rs 35,65,500.The value of the non-medicine items supplied was Rs 8,84,252 it said and added, that the total amount of the goods delivered was Rs 44,49,752 including the installation charges of the OT tables.
The Government however sanctioned only Rs 40,35,728 as against the supply order of Rs 75,48,236, further said the statement.
The sanctioned amount was for four OT Table and some non-medicine items.
Out of the 8 OT tables supplied, only one has been installed, admitted the Health Dept adding that engineers have to be called in for the installation of the rest.
The Officer in charge of Store has certified that 3 OT tables have been kept in working condition in the Central Medical Store.
The cost of the four OT tables excluding the installation charge of the three, has been calculated at Rs 16,18,737 and the payment released, added the statement.
For non-medicine items, the Department released Rs 8,84,252 for the items which have been delivered, it claimed.
The actual amount thus paid to the Delhi firm is Rs 25,02989.