Patna, July 8: The state government today claimed that no irregularities had taken place in medicine purchase in government hospitals.

It claimed the transactions were made according to rules and the companies from which medicines were purchased had not been blacklisted at that time.

The explanation came after allegations were levelled against the state government by the opposition in the ongoing Assembly session regarding the purchase of medicines. The opposition alleged that drugs supplied to the government hospitals were purchased from companies blacklisted in other states and at exorbitant rates.

“The opposition wants to tarnish the image of the state government. Bihar Medical Services and Infrastructure Corporation Limited (BMSICL) had no knowledge about blacklisted firms. How can we know about some firm being blacklisted in any other state?” said Vijay Kumar Choudhary, water resources minister.

On the issue of purchasing drugs at exorbitant prices, he said: “State Health Society, Bihar, and BMSICL had issued tenders for purchasing the drugs and it was found that the society quoted lower rates than BMSICL. Finding difference in the quotes, a re-tendering was done and drugs were purchased on that basis.”

JDU dissident Ravindra Ray claimed the state government was not punishing officials involved in the scam as they funded the ruling party during the general election.