Ambulances Costing Rs 7 Lakh Bought At Rs 21 Lakh, Remain Unused In Bihar

Of the seven, five ambulances were allegedly bought under the Chief Minister's regional development fund.

In Bihar's Siwan district, seven ambulances - purchased last year during the country's peak Covid crisis allegedly at three times the price - remain unused at a parking lot. The "ambulance scam" was unearthed after reports showed each vehicle, costing Rs 7 lakh, was purchased for a whopping Rs 21.84 lakh. The purchase was also not made from the government's e-marketplace (GEM) which is mandatory for any item costing over Rs 5 lakh. Of the seven, five ambulances were allegedly bought under the Chief Minister's regional development fund. The price of the ambulances shot up after various upgradations such as ventilators, seat partition and other medical equipment. However, these modifications were purchased through an open tender at skyrocketing rates. Siwan District Magistrate Amit Pandey has said that an investigation has been ordered in the case,