Kerala Lokayukta has issued notice to former Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja, who was touted as 'Coronaslayer', and a few others in connection with alleged corruption in purchase of PPE kits and other surgical equipment during the first few months after Covid-19 hit India.
The anti-corruption body in the state issued notice after Congress leader Veena S Nair filed a complaint mentioning the purchases made were at exorbitant rates. The former health minister and others were told to appear before the Lokayukta on December 9.
Also read | Family Members Accompanied Kerala CM On Tour At Personal Expense: Minister Sivankutty
However, former minister Shailaja dismissed the allegations of purchasing at higher prices. She said the unprecedented nature of the calamity incurred by Covid-19 had in the initial stages of the pandemic promoted the state to seek kits and other surgical instruments on an urgent basis. Due to the emergency situation, PPEs cost Rs 1,500 instead of Rs 500.
She also said that the purchasing of equipment at higher prices was done after Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's nod. An order of 50,000 PPE kits were placed initially but by the time 15,000 were delivered the price has fallen and the rest of the order was purchased at market price, she clarified, said an Onmanorama report.
All the names mentioned in the complaint were either decision makers or directly involved in procuring PPE kits and other surgical instruments during the Covid pandemic in the state.