New Delhi: With the armed forces operating quarantine centres in Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and other places where several thousand people mostly Indians who have been flown in from abroad, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in order to ensure more efficient functioning has issued special guidelines- or Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)— relating to COVID-19 related work.
The SOPs relate to emergency powers— mostly financial—to deal with COVID-19. The government document says: “The emergency powers are to expedite the procurement and repairs for establishing and running quarantine and isolation facilities by the Indian armed forces”.
The powers relate to purchases of “stores, rations, hygiene and chemicals, medicines and transportation.” An emergency of this magnitude demands immediate action; what is required right now and has to be readied almost by tomorrow. Normal procedures do not allow for that. If something is required and particularly, large amounts of it, in the age of global short supply in this ‘sellers’ market’ differences in specifications and quality variations, have to be set aside, given the unprecedented emergency.
It means if masks have to be bought, anything between outstanding to good in terms of quality is acceptable. Purchase from a number of vendors is allowed owing to supply problems because of closed factories or transportation breakdowns even if there are differences in price. Basically, pay more if you have to, but buy something you really need.
Cutting red tape, paperwork and the necessary world of tenders and bid can be avoided right now. It can always be done later. It is a seller’s market, and also, there are considerable logistical challenges. If it is necessary to pay a 100 per cent advance, unprecedented in normal circumstances, it can be given to a public sector firm. For the private sector, an advance can be considered, if it is felt necessary.
At this point, additional time-consuming measures like discussions on bank guarantees need not happen. Also, as these are forbiddingly difficult times, a “post-audit system of accounting” can be followed. Cash transactions are also acceptable.
The new guidelines will apply when it comes to the purchase of medical equipment, medicines and other essentials required to establish new quarantine centres and run the ones already in place. With bureaucratic restrictions on the back burner, patients and all those under quarantine can receive the best possible treatment and importantly, quickly. Lives matter and worldwide, 65,000 people have died and a staggering 900,000 are ill, about 45,000 critically.
