The government the other day scrapped a controversial medical equipment procurement contract with a capital based business company. Furnishing the reasons behind the cancellation of the deal, the Director General at the Health Department alleged the company, Omni Business Corporate International, for not supplying the equipment meant for the treatment of coronavirus, as per the agreement. The company had failed to supply the equipment, eagerly awaited in the country reeling under the fear of coronavirus, in time, forcing the authority to cancel the contract.

The government authority clearly cited that the failure of Omni Group to supply equipment in time as a major reason behind the cancellation of the over billion rupees contract. However, it has widely been reported that the Health Department had to scrap the deal after charges were made that the Omni group was given the contract on March 26 without following any lawful bidding procedure which breached the country's procurement law. On the other hand, the group was alleged of bringing the equipment from China by quoting prices several times higher than actual prices in the Chinese market. So much so, some of the items that were brought in the country were reported to have been of lower standard, unfit to be used for the rapid coronavirus testing among suspected patients.

Ever since the contract to import the vital medial items was given to the Omni Group, a huge hue and cry erupted in social network and all media of the country, which raised the question regarding the awarding of contract without following the due process to a company that was not duly registered. The authority appeared to have come under tremendous pressure to cancel the contract, which it did on time to avoid further damage to its image and prestige. Now, the Health Department has stated that it would open new bidding process for the import of the anti-coronavirus gears and would award the contract to the lowest bidder.

The country is indeed passing through its toughest time, which is evident from the fact that the government has locked down the country for two weeks. The health centres across the nation are facing an acute shortage of medical gears and equipment for their health workers who are at the forefront to treat the coronavirus patients. The country at present is waging a war on the deadly contagion. At this juncture, the nation and the government authority should not get embroiled in any controversies. Anything the government acts upon should be done on a very transparent manner by keeping itself and all its acts within the country's legal realm. Any aberration is sure to attract wider flak to it. The line ministries and departments and their bosses should consider this fact wisely.

No doubt, this is the time the country is putting all its attention to fight the virus by providing all kinds of assistance to health workers and health centres. This doesn't mean that our authority should overlook legal provisions in order to award contract to some controversial companies in the name of procuring medical equipment in time. If this is allowed to happen, then other agencies with their hideous agenda would come forward to reap undesired benefits. The scrapping of the contract with Omni Group is thus a right move, which should be applauded by all. Our authority should also remain constantly aware that such mistake would not repeat in future.