Health dept under scrutiny for favouritism in Rs 31 cr procurement

The Health Department in Gurdaspur and Tarn Taran districts is facing allegations of favouritism after purchasing medicines and surgical equipment worth Rs 31 crore from three Jalandhar-based firms owned by one family. The firms — Bombay Sales Corporation, Alodia Life Sciences Private Limited and Syra Enterprises — are run by a businessman, his wife and son.

A tender issued by the Ludhiana Health Department in December 2021 was awarded exclusively to these firms, despite the presence of other contenders. A review by Ghanshyam Thori, Mission Director of the National Health Mission (Punjab), revealed discrepancies, prompting investigations into the procurement process.

Gurdaspur Civil Surgeon Kulwinder Kaur, who issued purchase orders immediately after joining in December 2022, defended her actions, citing pending bills. The case has sparked multiple inquiries and allegations of rules being bent to favour the family’s businesses.