Bad medicine: state assembly adjourned over
corruption issue

The House was adjourned on Wednesday over allegations by Opposition members regarding irregularities in the supply of medicines to the cyclone-hit Orissa. Unruly scenes were witnessed as Opposition members raised slogans and disrupted House proceedings alleging that medicines were supplied to Orissa by companies in which certain ministers had stake.

Health minister Suresh Mehta took strong exception to allegations of a minister’s involvement in the company that supplied the medicines to the cyclone-hit Orissa, made by Congress chief whip Naresh Raval.

Mr. Raval said the state government had violated its own rules in the purchase by not placing orders to registered drug supplying companies. Rejecting allegations of irregularities, Mr. Mehta said the medicines were in fact purchased at cheaper rates and moreover, the state government received an additional benefit of a rebate of 10 per cent in the purchase of medicines.

The health minister said registered companies Darshan and Vardhaman failed to fulfill the requirements of regular supply of medicines and in case of emergencies, committee of secretaries had full authority to take a decision to give orders to companies that have not registered their rate list.

It all began when Congress MLA Udesinh Baria, in a short-term question, asked whether there were any irregularities in the supply of medicines to Orissa. Mr. Raval claimed that the registered companies were prepared to supply the medicines at lesser rates and that undue benefit had been given to un-registered companies where a minister had stake.

Social justice and empowerment minister Fakir Vaghela, raising a point of order said no allegations can be made against a minister without a prior notice to him as well as the Speaker. Speaker Dhirubhai Shah said he will allow discussion on this topic only after a notice attached evidence is given to him.

Infuriated Congress members demanded to express their views and led by MLA Raghvji Patel, raised slogans such as Dadagiri Nahi Chalegi Nahi Chalegi (Such intimidation will not be tolerated), thus forcing an adjournment.

After the adjournment, Mr. Mehta said the medicines were purchased from Maan Pharmaceuticals and Precise Formulations. He said the allegations were preplanned and aimed at grabbing publicity and if Mr. Raval had full knowledge who was the minister involved, should have come with all the documents of evidence to support his claim.

Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel, at this point said such allegations cannot be made without enough evidence and the allegations be expunged from the records. Speaker Dhirubhai Shah directed that the words be removed from the records.

Republished from The Asian Age