Kerala Health Minister Orders Departmental Inquiry into Oushadhi Irregularities

The Kerala government has launched a departmental inquiry into alleged financial irregularities at Oushadhi, the state’s public sector undertaking for Ayurvedic medicines. The Kerala Health Minister ordered the probe following a formal complaint detailing widespread mismanagement. Concurrently, a prominent figure, Mr. Muraleedharan, has also written to senior leader Mr. Ramesh Chennithala, advocating for a Vigilance Department investigation into the matter.

The allegations against Oushadhi, officially known as the Pharmaceutical Corporation (Indian Medicines) Kerala Ltd., span several critical areas of its operations. These include significant concerns regarding construction contracts, procurement processes, overall financial management, and accounting practices. The complaint suggests these irregularities are substantial, potentially impacting the financial health and operational integrity of the state-owned enterprise.

Oushadhi, headquartered in Thrissur, plays a crucial role in the public health sector of Kerala by manufacturing and supplying Ayurvedic medicines. Its mandate is to provide quality and affordable traditional medicines, making the allegations of financial impropriety particularly serious for public trust and resource allocation within the state's healthcare system.

The departmental inquiry aims to thoroughly examine all aspects of the complaint, scrutinising records and processes to ascertain the veracity of the claims. The call for a Vigilance probe underscores the gravity of the accusations and the demand for an independent, high-level investigation to ensure transparency and accountability within the public sector undertaking.