<p>Thiruvananthapuram: In an embarrassment to the Kerala government, a report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has pointed out that personal protective equipment kits (PPE kits) were procured by the Kerala government during the Covid-19 breakout at 300 per cent higher rates ignoring the availability of low priced PPE kits.</p><p>"Despite the availability of offers at lower price ranges from regular suppliers as well as in local markets, procurements were also made from five firms during March and April 2020 at much higher rates - as high as 300 per cent above the unit rate or at even higher rates, compared to previous purchases made."</p><p>"This resulted in an additional expenditure of Rs 10.23 crore on the PPE kits procured during the above period," said the report that was tabled in the Assembly on Tuesday.</p>.Delhi Assembly Elections 2025 | AAP candidate Jitender Shunty files nomination wearing PPE kit.<p>Earlier itself, there were allegations of irregularities in purchase of various materials during Covid. The state government had been defending it by citing the emergency situation.</p><p>According to the CAG report, one firm had offered PPE kits at Rs 550 per unit, which was close to the state government prescribed rate of Rs 545. But bulk purchase orders of Rs 15,000 to Rs 2 lakhs were placed to other firms for prices ranging from Rs 800 to Rs 1,550 per unit.</p><p>The CAG report also cautioned that the delay in setting up infrastructure for the government medical colleges sanctioned by the National Medical Commission at Kasargod and Wayanad could even lead to discontinuance of approval and could impact the future of medical aspirants. </p>
<p>Thiruvananthapuram: In an embarrassment to the Kerala government, a report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has pointed out that personal protective equipment kits (PPE kits) were procured by the Kerala government during the Covid-19 breakout at 300 per cent higher rates ignoring the availability of low priced PPE kits.</p><p>"Despite the availability of offers at lower price ranges from regular suppliers as well as in local markets, procurements were also made from five firms during March and April 2020 at much higher rates - as high as 300 per cent above the unit rate or at even higher rates, compared to previous purchases made."</p><p>"This resulted in an additional expenditure of Rs 10.23 crore on the PPE kits procured during the above period," said the report that was tabled in the Assembly on Tuesday.</p>.Delhi Assembly Elections 2025 | AAP candidate Jitender Shunty files nomination wearing PPE kit.<p>Earlier itself, there were allegations of irregularities in purchase of various materials during Covid. The state government had been defending it by citing the emergency situation.</p><p>According to the CAG report, one firm had offered PPE kits at Rs 550 per unit, which was close to the state government prescribed rate of Rs 545. But bulk purchase orders of Rs 15,000 to Rs 2 lakhs were placed to other firms for prices ranging from Rs 800 to Rs 1,550 per unit.</p><p>The CAG report also cautioned that the delay in setting up infrastructure for the government medical colleges sanctioned by the National Medical Commission at Kasargod and Wayanad could even lead to discontinuance of approval and could impact the future of medical aspirants. </p>