Congress alleges massive overpricing in hospital bedsheet procurement
Devender Yadav, president of the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee, on Thursday demanded a high-level investigation by Lieutenant-Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu into what he described as a major scam in the procurement of bedsheets for 28 Delhi government hospitals. Yadav claimed that bedsheets were purchased at grossly inflated prices, with the same product supplied by one company at Rs 150 per piece being procured by the government at Rs 450 per piece, resulting in an alleged commission of around Rs 50 crore.
Excessive quantity and inflated costs
Yadav stated that approximately 16.6 lakh bedsheets were procured for about 15,500 hospital beds at a total cost of around Rs 75 crore. He argued that the quantity was excessive and indicative of financial irregularities. The DPCC chief linked the bedsheet scam to a larger alleged health procurement scam of Rs 560–650 crore, claiming that medicines, equipment, and other supplies were purchased through the Central Procurement Agency at rates 200–500 per cent above market prices.
Political blame game over health sector corruption
Yadav targeted both the previous Aam Aadmi Party government and the current BJP-led Delhi government, alleging that the health sector had been turned into a “cash cow” through corrupt procurement practices. He urged the L-G to set up a high-level inquiry committee and take action against those found responsible. The allegations come amid ongoing political tensions in the national capital over governance and corruption issues.
