KMSCL Kerala Medical Services Corporation Limited is making an unusual attempt to conceal widespread corruption. Worth crores of rupees perpetrated by some corrupt government officials. This happened during the lockdown period in link with emergency COVID-related purchases.
Employees who acted as whistleblowers by uncovering the scam may face dismissal as a result of this move. But, at the same time, the corrupt officials at the top enjoy complete immunity from any disciplinary action.
Both the Karunya purchase deputy manager and the assistant manager received a show-cause notice. This was after reporting to the top level about the deletion of 3,000 files from the KMSCL’s computer network. On the other hand, the action against employees who were in charge of deleting sensitive files related to various purchases was reduced to a mere suspension.
Kerala Health Minister Veena George, who is dissatisfied with the situation. He has tasked a new agency with conducting a fresh audit of the accounts beginning in 2016. The Account General’s auditing is going on at the same time. Once the audit reports are released, it is expected that action against the top officials will be taken.
The transition is to save the skin of those involved. They are involved in COVID-related urgent purchase abnormalities and corruption has turned into a major crisis for the KMSCL.
Medicines, PPE kits, and medical equipment, including oxygen beds, were purchased. All three times higher than the actual price by the KMSCL under the leadership of corrupt officials without a tender or quotation. Many unwanted products were dumped in the company’s godowns without being recorded in the stock register.
Former Health Minister KK Shailaja, during whose tenure these purchases were made, is also held accountable. When questioned, she responded that all purchases were made with the chief minister’s approval.