Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Lokayukta Friday gave clean chit to senior bureaucrats of the state in the alleged high profile Covid-19 PPE kit and other medical equipment purchasing scam in 2020.
The three-member bench of Lokayukta declared closure of the case on the basis of the preliminary report submitted by state Vigilance directorate March 16.
Earlier, while hearing petitions filed by Sudarshan Das and another social activist, the Lokayukta had directed the anti-corruption wing of the state to look into the matter. Vigilance department was asked to submit the report by February 15, 2021.
Upon failing to submit the report in time, the department sought one month extension. Vigilance has reportedly denied any irregularities in procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE) kits, masks, nebulisers, and other equipment by the Odisha State Medical Corporation Limited (OSMCL) when the pandemic was at its peak in 2020.
Meanwhile, both the complainants expressed their dissatisfaction over Lokayukta’s decision and informed about moving Orissa High Court against the verdict.
Speaking to Orissa POST, petitioner Das said, “We as the complainant have the right to read the vigilance report. However, the Lokayukta rejected our plea for a chance to look into the probe report so that we could place our side before the Lokayukta.
It gave clean chit without making the probe report public or allowing the complainants to study it. This poses serious questions on the impartiality of the Lokayukta.”
Notably, Lokayukta has recently given clean chit to another senior IAS officer Bishnupada Sethi on allegations of irregularities in procurement of poly-film pouches for packaging of milk in Omfed.
PNN
