How tender 'irregularities' created an Rs 640-crore hole in Delhi’s health budget

NEW DELHI: Delhi govt’s Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) has arrested Dr Vatsala Aggarwal, former director general of health services (DGHS), and Neeraj Chopra, former deputy controller of accounts, in connection with a Rs 640-crore procurement scam involving medicines, surgical items, and medical equipment.The duo has been accused of manipulating medical procurement tenders to cause a multi-crore loss to the public exchequer. They allegedly rigged technical specifications and financial scrutiny to favour some suppliers for items like X-Ray machines and medicines, all of which were reportedly purchased at inflated rates.The arrests, ACB said, mark a breakthrough in a wider conspiracy involving large-scale irregularities within the Central Procurement Agency (CPA).The action follows a detailed complaint from the Directorate of Vigilance, which flagged a deep-rooted nexus between public servants and private entities. Investigative findings allegedly indicate that the accused systematically manipulated procurement processes, tender conditions, and technical specifications to ensure undue advantages for specific firms.These manipulations reportedly spanned a vast array of essential healthcare items, including portable XRay machines, bed sheets, linen items, C-arm radiological equipment, anaesthesia workstations, oral rehydration solution, and vital surgical consumables, all of which were reportedly purchased at highly inflated rates.“By engineering tailor made specifications, the officials successfully excluded genuine competitors from the bidding process and misutilised several hundred crores of govt funds,” said ACB chief Vikramjit Singh.The formal investigation gained momentum after an FIR was filed on June 2, under the Prevention of Corruption Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The ACB arrested Dr Vinod Kumar Ranga, former Head of Office at the CPA, on June 18. It was during his custodial interrogation and subsequent scrutiny of voluminous procurement and financial records that the critical roles of Aggarwal and Chopra came to light. Investigators revealed that key decisions regarding tender approvals and procurement methodologies were processed directly through their respective offices. Furthermore, Chopra’s office allegedly oversaw the financial scrutiny, processing of bills, and rapid release of payments involving substantial public funds.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Delhi | Silver Rate in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi | Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Petrol Price in Delhi | Diesel Price in Delhi | CNG Price in Delhi | LPG Price in DelhiStay updated with the latest Delhi news. Download the TOI App.