Special Instructions relating to relief operations for COVID-19 global pandemic – Procurement by Indian Missions
F 6/18/2019-PPD
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure
*****
North Block, New Delhi
Dated: 27th April 2021
Special Instructions relating to relief operations for COVID-19 global pandemic – Procurement by Indian Missions
Attention is invited the OM of this Department of even number dated 24th April 2021 whereby guidelines were issued to facilitate the procurement and transportation of medical oxygen, medical supplies and other essential supplies for COVIDc19 operations. The said OM had stated the procedure to be followed for making procurement of goods and non-consultancy services in terms of the General Financial Rules 2017 (GFRs 2017).
2. Further to the issuance of the above referred OM, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), vide their OM no. 11035/110/2021-DRS-Part (1) dated 26th April 2021 has informed that the Indian Missions abroad are in advanced stage of negotiations/placement of orders on companies for procurement of a variety of essential medical equipments/drugs, mainly, Remdesvir, Oxygen concentrators, Oxygen generators, Cryogenic tanks, raw, material for drugs/vaccines etc. MoHFW, therefore, vide the above referred OM, has requested that flexibilities for such purchases by the Indian missions as allowed by this Departments’ OM of even number dated 1st April 2020 through special instructions may be issued.
3. The matter has been examined. In view of the urgent requirements of medical equipment and essential supplies to safeguard public health and to combat COVID- 19 in the country and save lives, and in the situation of having limited foreign suppliers operating in a ‘sellers’ market’, it is imperative that the medical equipment and essential supplies are purchased without delay as it would be harmful to public interest. In a situation of extreme urgency, it is necessary that medical equipment and essential supplies necessary to fight COVID-19 are procured and deployed quickly. Vide this Departments’ OM of even number dated 24th April 2021, special instructions for procurement of essential medical equipments and medical supplies till 31st May 2021 have already been issued in terms of rule 149, 161(iv), 166 and 204 of GFRs 2017. Now, in furtherance to the OM of even number dated 24th April 2021, and in view of the OM of MoHFW referred to above, in order to ensure availability of essential medical equipment, the following further instructions are issued under Rule 6(1) of GFR.
4. It is hereby provided that any or all of the following requirements viz.
- consultation of the Financial Advisers for full advance payment;
- obtaining bank guarantee from the supplier for making advance payment;
- performance security;
in terms of rules 170, 171 and 172 of GFRs may be waived by the Empowered Group (EG-II) on the recommendation of the Ambassador/High Commissioner of India in those cases where it is satisfied that it is unavoidable in the prevailing circumstances. This shall apply only in respect of procurement of medical equipment and essential supplies made by Indian Missions on behalf of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare or any other Ministry/Department specifically so considered by EG-11 during the validity of the order. A specific decision shall be recorded by the Empowered Group in each case.
7. In modification of para 10(iii) of the OM dated 24th April 2021, it is hereby stipulated that the specifications, price and quantity of medical equipment and essential supplies shall be fixed in the manner prescribed by EG-11 from time to time.
8. These instructions are issued with the approval of Secretary (Expenditure) and shall remain in force for the period till 31st May 2021 or till superseded by another order whichever is earlier.
(Sanjay Prasad)
Additional Secretary PFC-II
Department of Expenditure
Te;: 23093382
To:
- Foreign Secretary, MEA.
- Secretary, MoHFW
- Secretary, DPIIT
Copy to:
- PMO
- Additional Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat
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