Stalin alleges corruption in purchase of thermal scanners

Chennai

“Alleging that the State government has engaged in widespread corruption even during the COVID times, Stalin referred to the reported procurement of China-made 12,000 thermal scanners by Chennai Corporation through an Indian firm to check temperature door to door in the city and said the scanners cost Rs 9,175 maximum and medical professionals suggest it could be purchased at Rs 4,000-6,000 per piece when purchased in bulk.

The AIADMK regime should stop gambling with the lives of the people by engaging in corruption in procurement of bleaching powder to thermal scanner at least from now and release a white paper on the purchases made so far and focus on protecting people.

Claiming that scanners of good quality could be procured domestically at Rs 2,000 – 5,000 and many doctors cum hospitals have procured them at Rs 1,500 to 4,000 online, Stain cited a report in which medical experts have questioned the City Corporation for buying the Chinese thermal scanners through middlemen at high price when they could have been purchased at less price in bulk.

The Chinese scanners were showing the same reading above 100 degree Fahrenheit for all and people were shocked by the scanners showing more than normal body temperature during the pandemic times, the LoP remarked.

Alleging that the field workers were reportedly struggling to upload the temperature readings and officials insist on them merely carrying the equipment even if they don’t test all, Stalin said that Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami-led regime, instead of correcting itself, was covering up all issues by accusing the Opposition parties of politicising issues when they point to irregularities.

Stalin cited another report alleging that masks were bought at Rs 15 per piece while they would only cost Rs 3 per piece when bought in bulk.