Guwahati, Feb. 19: Chief minister Tarun Gogoi today directed chief secretary V.K. Pipersenia to initiate a probe into the procurement of medicine, purchase of non-essential drugs and delay in constituting the Assam Medical Services Corporation during the tenure of Himanta Biswa Sarma as health minister.

Sarma, who joined the BJP last year, after leading an unsuccessful dissidence to unseat Gogoi, was the health minister in the Gogoi cabinet till July 2014.

The chief minister asked Pipersenia to find out why branded drugs were purchased by the health and family welfare department during the past many years in spite of a policy for procurement of generic drugs.

"This matter may be verified and responsibility fixed on individuals concerned for causing loss to the public exchequer due to procurement of branded drugs instead of generic drugs," Gogoi said.

He also asked Pipersenia to probe into the extent of procurement of non-essential drugs since 2006 by the health and family welfare department and the amount involved in purchasing them.

"It is to be examined whether such procurement was necessary and responsibility may be fixed on individuals for any irregularities," Gogoi said.

He also directed Pipersenia to fix responsibility on individuals for the delay in setting up the Assam Medical Services Corporation despite his clear instructions to the department. Gogoi further asked the chief secretary to pass on instructions to the director of financial inspection to carry out inspection of financial matters pertaining to National Health Mission during the past 10 years and submit the report urgently.