The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has sent separate letters to three different government organizations seeking information on the “irregularities and corruption,” to investigate corruption in the procurement of N95 masks.
ACC Director Mir Md Zainul Abedin Shibli, also the investigation officer, sent the letters to the government agencies on Sunday, said the commission’s Director (media), Pronob Kumar Bhattacharya.
The secretary of the Health Ministry, the Director General of Health Services, and director of the Central Medical Stores Depot (CMSD), have been made respondents to the letters, ACC sources said.
These letters have been issued in accordance with the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004, and the Anti-Corruption Commission Rules, 2007.
The ACC’s move came after the anti-graft watchdog initiated the investigation when there were reports of corruption in the purchase of masks and other healthcare products, from media outlets and its own sources.
In the letters, ACC has requested the recipients to provide the necessary details and records by June 30.
Earlier, the ACC formed a four-member team led by Mir Md Zainul Abedin Shibli to investigate the allegations.
In the letter to the Health Ministry, the ACC team asked for the names of the projects undertaken by the Ministry for purchasing health equipment, the amount of money allocated and spent, and information about the organizations implementing them.
They also sought attested photocopies of records about any action taken against organizations, including JMI Hospital Requisite Manufacturing Ltd.
JMI Hospital Requisite Manufacturing Ltd was previously accused of putting health workers at risk of coronavirus infection by supplying fake N95 masks to the Health Ministry.
As per the letter, the inquiry team also sought detailed information, including names, titles, current workplace, previous workplace, and the mobile numbers of doctors who have been transferred for various reasons since 26th March.
Furthermore, ACC asked for various relevant records from the DGHS director general, and the CMSD director.
In this regard, ACC Chairman Iqbal Mahmud said the ACC has adopted a strict approach to curb corruption in the health sector.
“We have already issued urgent letters seeking information from three government agencies to investigate allegations of corruption in the procurement of healthcare products,” he said.
The culprits will be brought under the law regardless of their social, professional, or other identities, according to the ACC chairman.
The ACC chief hopes that everyone will help the commission by providing the necessary information and records within the specified time.
