The Assembly Estimate Committee of Kerala Government has decided to enquire the alleged anti-rabies vaccine issue, as pressure is mounting on the state government to initiate action against the allegedly corrupt health department officials.
According to E.T. Muhammed Basheer, Chairman of Assembly Estimate Committee, decision for a probe by the legislatures committee was based on reports by media and considering the seriousness of the issue.
The committee has asked the State Health Secretary, Health Director, Medical Education Director and Drug Controller (all members of the Central Purchase Committee (CPC) responsible for the vaccine purchase) to appear for a hearing before the committee on 5th of November.
Meanwhile, office bearers of All Kerala Pharmacists Association (AKPA) have started an indefinite protest strike before the State Health Directorate in Thiruvananthapuram for suspending the Health Director and Drug Controller in the Rabipur vaccine purchase issue.
According to the association, the Government should initiate a detailed high-level enquiry into all alleged irregularities of the department, and as a prelude should suspend the DC and Health Director. The association cited they had reported on the irregularities in March last year also.
Exerting further pressure on the Government, Communist Party of India (CPI) leadership in Kerala said the Antony Government should immediately suspend the Health Director, Drug Controller and other officials involved in the vaccine issue, purchase of surgical suture, medical equipments and other irregularities.
Despite the Finance department and Auditor General had reported losses to the tune of over Rs.5 crore to state exchequer in various actions of the officials, inaction on the part of Government to enquire and suspend the officials was mysterious, opined the party officials.
Police arrested a few activists of All India Youth Federation (AIYF) for trespassing and detaining officials in the Central Purchase Committee (CPC) meeting held within the Health Directorate conference hall in Thiruvananthapuram.