ACC suspends MoH officials
They were suspended after ACC found a prima facie case of corruption against them and wanted to ensure that there is no tampering and interference in the investigation. The suspension will hold until the investigation is over or when ACC decides to lift the suspension.
In an internal meeting in ACC, it was concluded that Nado Dukpa and Nawang Dorji were in a position to impede the investigation, as the investigation is likely to expand to past tenders, which would entail extensive requirements for official documents.
“Permitting these individuals to attend their office by the nature of their position and duty may potentially hamper the smooth investigation process,” says the ACC letter.
“The concern is that they can tamper with the evidences, ” said an ACC official.
According to section 77 of the ACC Act, whenever the commission finds a prima facie case, the alleged person shall be suspended from service or his business frozen.
Kuensel had uncovered that Nado and Nawang are among the tender committee members, who took two ‘all round paid’ trips to China and Germany, arranged by a Kolkata-based medical equipment supplier, Vikas medical devices. The Germany trip was in the middle of tender evaluation for equipment for 10 days from July 10 to 20 to see medical equipment being offered by Vikas medical devices.
The medical equipment tender was announced in early April, with submission received by May 22, with the results announced in August and September.
ACC then got into action and froze the awarding of tenders to Vikas Medical. The commission has also seized the computers of the deputy secretary Nado Rinchen, DVED director Nawang and all other tender and bid documents relating to around Nu 190m worth of medical drugs and equipment tenders.
