Probe corruption in medical lit purchase, BMC chief told

The civic standing committee has asked the municipal commissioner to initiate an inquiry into alleged corruption in the purchase of medical books and periodicals needed by students, doctors and professors of a medical college for reference.

It was alleged the civic body was ready to spend Rs2 crore for medical literature, which comprises books, magazines, journals and periodicals, with the cost of books ranging between Rs2 lakh and Rs8 lakh. One of the journals costs Rs17 lakh.

MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande raised the issue in the standing committee and said the supplier was ready to give 50% discount on the books on a mere phone call and had asked for a meeting to negotiate the prices further.

However, the civic administration has not attempted to bring the prices down, which, he added, clearly showed that there was something fishy.

The proposal for purchase of books and periodicals came up last week, which was rejected by the members when Deshpande had raised doubts over the prices. The civic body, this week, again tabled the proposal for purchase of 111 books, magazines and periodicals for GS Medical College and KEM Hospital.