The controversy over Tamil Nadu government’s purchase of 245 ambulances at a cost of ₹39 crore in December 2022, and then letting the vehicles rust in an open yard in Poonamallee, returned to centre stage over its attempts to appoint vendors directly, without any transparent tender process.
Under the fully funded Union government scheme Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP) the ambulances were to function as mobile veterinary units. They, however, could not be put to use since December 2022 as the state was waiting for the Union government to release funds to engage vendors and appoint doctors and technicians to run the units.
“Without going for a competitive tendering process, selection of a service provider by any other method is not legal. There are many leading potential suppliers and service providers who are experienced and competent to operate mobile veterinary units. It would be imperative on the part of the State to promote competition in a fair and transparent manner by giving all potential suppliers a chance to participate in order to safeguard the public funds,” it said.
Under the fully funded Union government scheme Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP) the ambulances were to function as mobile veterinary units. They, however, could not be put to use since December 2022 as the state was waiting for the Union government to release funds to engage vendors and appoint doctors and technicians to run the units.
“Without going for a competitive tendering process, selection of a service provider by any other method is not legal. There are many leading potential suppliers and service providers who are experienced and competent to operate mobile veterinary units. It would be imperative on the part of the State to promote competition in a fair and transparent manner by giving all potential suppliers a chance to participate in order to safeguard the public funds,” it said.