CIC Pulled up NACO for substandard HIV kits in country

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NACO pulled up for substandard HIV kits in country

New Delhi, Nov 23 (PTI) Ten months after the World Bank published a

report alleging rampant fraud and corruption in Indian healthcare

projects including supply of sub-standard HIV testing kits, the

Central Information Commission (CIC) has pulled up the National AIDS

Control Organisation (NACO) in connection with the charges.

NACO will now have to explain the " factual position " with regards to

the allegations of sub-standard HIV diagnostic kits supplied by a

private player and documents related to investigations by World Bank

in the matter.

The CIC issued a show cause notice to NACO, the nodal agency handling

HIV control strategies and their implementation in the country,

asking it to explain why the maximum fine of Rs 25,000 should not be

slapped on the organisation for withholding requisite information

when demanded.

Hearing the petition of R Venkataraman, who sought all the documents

of related investigations in the matter from NACO, the CIC directed

the organisation " to provide the appellant with the DIR report of the

World Bank along with the factual position with regard to HIV Kits in

India and NACO's recommendations based on the World Bank report " .

In January 2008, the World Bank published a report showing rampant

fraud and corruption in Indian healthcare projects including supply

of sub-standard HIV testing kits.

Appellant Venkataraman stated before commission that both World Bank

and NACO were involved with the investigation of complaints against

the sub-standard kits and pleaded to provide him the same.

Information Commissioner purna Dixit observed, " This information

is being sought very clearly in public interest as cited by the

appellant and therefore believes that it has every reason for

overriding any apprehension which the Public Authority may have on

its disclosure. " PTI

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