Tirupati, Aug 3 (IANS) The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) has demanded an inquiry into the relaxation of bidding qualifications for the supply of medicines and medical equipment to hospitals run by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD).
The opposition party alleged that the relaxation of norms would lead to corruption and compromise the quality of medicines and medical equipment.
Speaking to the media, former TTD Chairman and YSRCP leader Bhumana Karunakar Reddy said the TTD Governing Board had decided to relax the eligibility criteria for bidding companies from Rs 100 crore to Rs 25 crore for the supply of medicines and medical equipment to TTD-run hospitals. In certain categories, the turnover requirement has been brought down further to Rs 15 crore, he said.
The former MLA alleged that this was done under the instructions of Minister Nara Lokesh, despite objections raised by a Board member representing a reputed pharmaceutical company. He said the quality of medicines and medical equipment would be compromised and claimed the decision was taken only to facilitate kickbacks. Even life-saving drugs and high-value medical equipment would be procured under the diluted norms, he alleged.
He said the decision was based on the recommendations of an anonymous committee headed by Jagadish, whose role in the process has raised serious questions.
Setting aside the norms followed by AIIMS and other premier medical institutions and allowing companies with much lower turnover to participate only reflected corrupt intentions, he alleged, adding that the argument of encouraging greater participation “cuts no ice.”
YSRCP SC Cell State President and former MLA T.J.R. Sudhakar Babu also criticised the government, alleging that the Chandrababu administration was using false cases and diversionary politics to suppress questions over irregularities in DSC-2025 and protect Education Minister Nara Lokesh.
He said Alur MLA Virupakshi, an elected leader from the weaker sections, was arrested like a terrorist in a midnight police raid after he went to protect a YSRCP worker attacked by TDP cadres.
A viral video showed TDP worker Nagaraju tearing his wife’s nightdress in the presence of police to frame the MLA, while ministers defended the staged narrative. He demanded an explanation for the removal of CCTV hard disks from Virupakshi’s residence and sought an immediate judicial inquiry into the raid.
Sudhakar Babu alleged that the government was simultaneously targeting BC, SC and minority leaders across Uttarandhra, Rayalaseema and central Andhra.
He cited the torture and death of Mala Gangamma, the burial of her body under police guard without a post-mortem, the kidnapping case filed against former MLA Mustafa for seeking repayment of his money, and the refusal to register an FIR on a complaint against Deputy Speaker Raghurama Krishnam Raju.
–IANS
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