Grant comes with strict conditions on purchase of items
BENGALURU:
Amid the rapid increase in Covid-19 cases in Bengaluru, the state government has released Rs 300 crore to BBMP to tackle the second wave of the pandemic.
An order to this effect has been issued by the Revenue Department (State Disaster Management Authority). Among other things, the order states that the BBMP Chief Commissioner will be held responsible if any misuse of funds occurs.
On April 8, Chief Commissioner Gaurav Gupta had written to the state government asking for the immediate release of Rs 300 crore to undertake Covid-related works.
Govt’s conditions:
1) BBMP shall pay remuneration to outsourced and hired-on-contract people undertaking Covid-19 related works.
2) BBMP to ensure that cost of purchasing Covid-19 related equipment is not higher than that prescribed by the Karnataka State Drugs, Logistics and Warehousing Society falling under the Department of Health and Family Welfare department.
3) Purchasing procedures shall be carried out in accordance with the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements Act, 1999
4) All documents have to be maintained properly, either on purchasing of equipment or making payments towards ambulance services.
5) All medical equipment such as test kits, including Rapid Antigen and RT-PCR, should be purchased through the Karnataka State Drugs, Logistics and Warehousing Society.
