India, June 24 -- Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has ordered a corruption probe against two senior Delhi Health Department officers over alleged irregularities in the procurement of medicines and other medical supplies for government hospitals, officials said on Tuesday. Treating the allegations with "utmost seriousness", Gupta has sought an inquiry under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, into complaints against Dr Vatsala Aggarwal and Deputy Controller of Accounts Neeraj Chopra linked to the procurement process, a senior Delhi government official said. "In the latest move, the government has recommended an investigation into allegations against Dr Vatsala Aggarwal and Deputy Controller of Accounts Neeraj Chopra following complaints regarding the functioning of the Central Procurement Agency (CPA)," the official said. The recommendation stems from complaints alleging financial and administrative irregularities in the procurement of medicines, surgical items and medical equipment by the CPA functioning under the Directorate of Health Services. Reiterating her government's zero-tolerance policy towards corruption, CM Gupta directed that the inquiry be conducted in a fair, impartial and transparent manner. She has also said that anyone found guilty after due process of law would face strict action in accordance with legal provisions.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.