Gujarat Congress Alleges Corruption in Dialysis Programme

Ahmedabad: Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee spokesperson Dr. Parthivrajsinh Kathwadia, addressing a special press conference at Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan on Thursday, raised serious questions over alleged financial irregularities in the Gujarat Dialysis Programme, citing findings of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).

Kathwadia alleged that the CAG report had highlighted serious irregularities involving Kiran Parikh, who served as Programme Officer of the Gujarat Dialysis Programme from 2016-17 to 2025-26. According to the Congress spokesperson, various work orders amounting to Rs 82.57 crore were awarded to Bio Trust Medical Devices, a company allegedly linked to Parikh’s family.

He termed the matter a potential conflict of interest, claiming that the CAG had relied on GST details and email correspondence available in official records to establish the alleged ownership connection between Parikh’s wife and Bio Trust Medical Devices.

Kathwadia also questioned the alleged involvement of Parikh’s family members in the programme. He said the government’s response to the CAG had acknowledged that Parikh’s father and brothers were associated with the project. According to him, Parikh’s family members were posted in purchase-related accounts and other key positions.

“Was the Gujarat Dialysis Programme being run as a family project?” Kathwadia asked, demanding that the state government disclose who was responsible for awarding contracts worth Rs 82.57 crore and whether other officials were involved in the alleged irregularities.

He further questioned why the alleged irregularities had remained undetected during the period from 2016-17 to 2025-26 and who was responsible for overseeing the programme during those years.

Questions Over Procurement of Sterile Containers

Kathwadia cited the procurement of sterile containers as an example of the irregularities highlighted in the CAG report. He said 40 units were purchased at a cost of Rs 5,92,375.67 each, with the total contract value amounting to Rs 2,36,95,026.80.

According to Kathwadia, the contract was awarded to Bio Trust Medical Devices as the sole bidder. He alleged that although the original bidding period was 21 days, it was reduced to 11 days.

He further claimed that the CAG had observed that the procurement was based on a solitary offer and that documents supporting a purported market survey referring to AIIMS Nagpur were not made available.

The Congress spokesperson said the CAG had pointed to deficiencies in documentation and procurement procedures and questioned the manner in which the tender process was conducted.

Demand for Accountability

Kathwadia also pointed out that Kiran Parikh was appointed as a Technical Officer in the Gujarat Dialysis Programme in 2014 and became Project Officer in 2018. He demanded that the government disclose the complete details of the alleged irregularities and identify all officials responsible for the decisions.

He further questioned whether merely removing or accepting the resignation of employees would be sufficient to address alleged financial irregularities involving contracts worth Rs 82.57 crore.

The Congress leader demanded to know why purchase-related accounts, files and records mentioned in the CAG report had not been made available and whether a criminal complaint should be filed in connection with the alleged irregularities.

Kathwadia accused the state Health Department of failing to act against alleged irregularities within the programme and demanded exemplary action against those found responsible.

The Congress spokesperson’s allegations were based on his interpretation of the CAG findings; the concerned officials and entities would need to respond to the allegations and findings for a complete assessment of the matter.