On PPE kit row, Himanta Biswa Sarma now refers to Kejriwal's old tweet to Gambhir

• Image Credit: Internet

• Jun 5, 2022 | Sourav Boruah

 Digital
Desk:
In
the midst of the PPE kit row in Assam, where Assam chief minister Himata Biswa
Sarma has been accused of giving a contract to his wife Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, an
allegation that the Aam Aadmi Party has now amplified, the Assam chief minister
attacked Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday, referring to his 2020
tweet exchange with Delhi BJP MP cricketer-turned-politician Gautam Gambhir.
"Suo moto, Delhi CM promised to acquire PPE kits from anywhere without
putting out a tender. Why? Is his Deputy CM convinced that the CM is crooked
because he requested someone to get PPE kits from somewhere right away and told
the Delhi government will pay for them? There is no mention of a tender or
anything like that "Himanta Biswa expressed himself on Twitter.

Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:#424242"> 

Following
reports of an alleged PPE fraud in Assam, Delhi deputy chief minister Manish
Sisodia accused Himanta Biswa of corruption on Saturday, alleging that as
health minister, Himanta gave the contract to a firm in which Sarma's wife is a
partner in 2020. According to Sisodia, one PPE kit cost Rs 990 under this
contract, but the Assam government could acquire PPE kits from other companies
for Rs 600 per piece.

Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:#424242">In response to Sisodia's
claim, Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that the PPE kits were supplied by his wife's
company as part of its corporate social responsibility programme, and that the
government did not pay for them. Sisodia produced the supply order, while Sarma
claimed that his wife's company had not raised a bill. Sarma reportedly
threatened to file a slander lawsuit against Sisodia.

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Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:#424242">The letter from the
corporation in issue to the Assam National Health Mission, which was published
by the Assam chief minister on Sunday, stated that the supply of the PPE kit
should be classified as CSR.

Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:#424242"> 

Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:#424242">"The Assam NHM dutifully
acknowledged this. This isn't corruption, Manish bhai; it's humanity. My wife
did not commit a crime; instead, she attempted to assist Assam during its most
critical period. It will not be tolerated if you throw mud at others. There
will be legal repercussions for you "Himanta Biswa Sarma sent out a tweet.