Ever since Health Minister of Chhattisgarh TS Singh Deo announced that their state government had bought the Corona rapid test kits at Rs 337 (GST additional), it triggered a big debate in Andhra Pradesh as it is alleged that AP bought the rapid test kits at higher price.
“We are procuring 75,000 high quality rapid testing kits at a benchmark price of ₹337 + GST from a South Korean company based in India, which has proven to be the lowest bidder. The rate we have been able to close at is the lowest in India,” tweeted TS Singh.
Whereas Opposition parties in AP have pointed fingers at Jagan administration and few leaders alleged that AP had bought the test kits at Rs 1200. With this, AP health ministry has announced that it had bought the rapid test kits at around Rs 700.
Responding on the price at which AP bought the test kits, Arogya Andhra, the official twitter handle of Health, Medical & Family Welfare department of AP, clarified,
“Malicious campaign is being run that AP procured rapid kits at around 1200 rs. AP got the kits at around 700 Rs. Final prices are being negotiated. Appropriate legal action will be initiated against such false information. We are in touch with other states like Chattisgarh, Kerala, Karnataka regarding the pricing of rapid kits. We will clarify further in this regard.” So far, one lakh rapid test kits have been delivered by the South Korean company. And another 10 lakh rapid test kits were ordered by AP government.
Opposition parties and netizens have targeted AP state government. Many raised questions that why AP government is claiming that the final prices are being negotiated after procuring 1 lakh rapid test kits. AP bought the test kits from Sandor Medicaids Pvt Ltd which has Venkata Muralidhar Reddy as its director.
Whereas, Chhattisgarh said to have got the test kits at best price possible by constantly negotiating with South Korea company through Indian Ambassador in South Korea.
However, one has to wait for the full details of AP’s Health Ministry on this. But prima facie looks like, AP has bought the Corona rapid test kits at the double the price of Chhattisgarh.