No fraud in ‘Fateh’ kit purchase: Punjab Government

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 11

Accusing the Aam Aadmi Party of misleading and playing politics over ‘Fateh’ kits, Health and Family Welfare Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu on Friday claimed all purchase was made in a transparent and impartial manner to fulfil the rising demands of Covid kits in the state.

He claimed the Delhi Government purchased pulse oximeters at exorbitant prices. Lashing out at AAP leaders, Sidhu said on May 5, they issued the purchase orders to M/s V&M Galaxy to supply 20,000 oximeters at Rs 1,300 each, M/s Divesh Chaudhary for 2,000 at Rs 1,290 each, M/s Edif Medical Systems for 5,000 at Rs 1,250 each, and M/s Abhilasha Commercial Pvt Ltd for 13,000 machines at Rs 1,300 each. He said how could the Delhi Government purchase same oximeters from various firms at different prices, while the Punjab Government’s entire ‘Fateh’ kit cost was Rs 883, which included digital thermometer, steamer, pulse oximeter, hand sanitiser, facemasks and all essential medicines.

In view of the rising cases during the second wave, the Punjab Government purchased ‘Fateh’ kits at a maximum rate of Rs 1,195 when there was scarcity worldwide, he clarified. He claimed Punjab was the only state where such treatment kits had been provided to the Covid patients.