Ranchi, Aug. 24: A state reproductive and child health (RCH) officer was suspended for an alleged involvement in a medicine scam, where equipment worth crores purchased were made at subsidised rates — but far beyond the state’s requirements.

Vijay Shankar Narayan Singh, the RCH was suspended by the state health department today. Two other officials —finance manager P. Mukherjee, a staff of and an contractual accountant Sujit Bharti — were taken for interrogation.

State health department officials revealed that Singh had been placing orders in abundance for medicines, equipment, chemicals and other materials — running up to over Rs 100 crore. These medicines were bought under the National Rural Health Mission at subsidised rates.

State health secretary Shivendu told The Telegraph: “Over 2.5 lakh bedsheets were purchased while disinfectant solution (with fogging machines) worth about Rs 20 crore were bought. We don’t need such amounts. Where did these go?” He said an inquiry would make things clear.

The health units, which were to be covered under the scheme include 3,600 sub-centres and about 225 primary health centres. Additional PHCs were also to be covered.

Authorities are sensing a huge scam after stumbling upon the fact that Centre’s “purchase preference policy” had not been followed by Singh and former health secretary Pradeep Kumar and bulk purchases were made.

Sources close to The Telegraph revealed disinfectant solution worth Rs 14.7 crore were purchased. Ironically, majority rural health centres are deprived of operation theatres where it could be used.

Moreover, 1,792 cylinders of nitrous oxide (an anaesthetic agent) were purchased at a cost of about Rs 4.42 crore. Around 3,62,000 thermometers, 3,50,000 gloves, 1792 cylinders of nitrous oxide, 2,50,000 bed sheet, 36,525 weighing machines, 80,000 first-aid boxes and three crore disposable syringes were purchased.

Former health secretary was not available for comment as he is on a long leave. It was on August 19 that Governor K. Sankaranarayanan was informed about the huge purchases made by the department.