Kerala’s ‘Break the Chain’ Covid-19 campaign is facing fresh scrutiny due to reported procedural and financial irregularities. An inspection by the Finance Department revealed that the Rs 4.89-crore campaign did not follow mandatory tender procedures. The inspection also found unsupported expenditure claims and raised concerns about the utilization of funds by the Social Security Mission during the pandemic.
The inspection report highlighted irregularities in the procurement of kiosks, manufacturing of masks and sanitizers, and the Prison Department’s unauthorized production of sanitizers without a government license. It further mentioned advances given without proper procedures, including Rs 44.63 lakh to district coordinators and Rs 19.64 lakh spent on renovating a video conferencing hall, which violated financial norms.
While the report did not accuse Dr. Mohammed Asheel of personal financial gain, it held him responsible for serious violations of financial rules and administrative procedures. These findings are significant amidst previous controversies over Covid-era procurements, sparking political debates over the handling of pandemic-related expenses by the previous Left government. Dr. Asheel defended the expenditures, citing special financial powers during the Covid emergency and exemptions from conventional tender procedures due to the public health crisis.
Former Health Minister K.K. Shailaja supported Dr. Asheel, emphasizing that the pandemic’s urgency required prompt administrative decisions. She stated that all actions were properly documented and expressed confidence in addressing the raised concerns through cooperation and inquiry processes.
