Opposition trying to defame government: Alla Kali Krishna Srinivas

Amaravati: Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Health and Family Welfare Alla Kali Krishna Srinivas (Nani) here on Saturday stated that the State government had been transparent in issuing tenders for 108 and 104 ambulance services. However, while the entire nation was hailing the State government's initiative, the opposition leaders were trying to defame the government, he said.

Speaking to the media here, the Minister said that N Chandrababu Naidu and his coterie were disseminating untruths even during these critical times to create confusion among the people.

"Everyone knew how Naidu sabotaged 108 ambulance services during his regime, when thousands of people lost their lives due to poor maintenance of the system. As per the guidance of Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy to restore quality medicare, we brought 1088 ambulances after going through reverse tendering process and even judicial review. We awarded the contract to Aurobindo Pharma only by following reverse tendering wherein the State government saved Rs 26,000 on each vehicle, with a total of Rs 185 crore."

The Minister said that the State government gives top priority to transparency and thus following due procedures, ambulance tenders were awarded to Aurobindo Pharma.

In the contract, it was clearly stated that the State government is not responsible for the increase in fuel prices and no additional costs will be paid in the seven-year contract period. After signing the contract, petrol and diesel rates have increased by Rs 9 per litre.

The Minister recalled that a five-member committee headed by the retired IAS officer Sujata Rao was formed to give suggestions to improve public health.

Following the recommendations of the committee, Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy took the decisions to give priority to the health of people.

Regarding the transparency in the purchase of vehicles, he said tenders were called for in November 2019 and two companies—Aurobindo Pharma and MPK Impex—had submitted tenders. Later, the Impex withdrew the tenders stating that it could not extend services at such low price quoted by Aurobindo. Again, tenders were called in January 2020 for the medical services and vehicle maintenance in which Aurobindo Pharma and Satya Sai Seva Samiti submitted tenders. However, Satya Sai Seva Samith withdrew the tenders since it could not compete with Aurobindo, he said.