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<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\nNew Delhi:<\/span> Delhi health minister Pankaj Kumar Singh has issued a show-cause notice to the health and family welfare secretary over the department allegedly ignoring official directions to submit a comprehensive action plan for pending procurement of medicines, consumables and medical equipment.According to the notice, the department was first directed on May 26 to prepare and submit an item-wise action plan, including timelines for completing all pending procurement processes relating to medicines, consumables and equipment, besides reviewing the timelines for demand submission by govt health institutions. However, as no response was received, the directions were reiterated through subsequent notices dated June 17 and July 22.The show-cause notice states that \u201cdespite three official communications, the department failed to furnish the requisite information\u201d. It says the continued non-compliance has \u201cimpeded monitoring of critical procurement activities\u201d and reflects \u201cserious administrative negligence directly affecting public health services.\u201dThe secretary has now been asked to explain why repeated directions were \u201cignored\u201d and why no action taken report (ATR) was submitted despite repeated reminders. The notice further asks why disciplinary action under the applicable Conduct Rules should not be recommended against officers responsible for the alleged dereliction of duty.Over the past two months, Delhi govt has initiated multiple investigations into alleged irregularities in procurement of medicines, surgical items and medical equipment by Central Procurement Agency.Anti-Corruption Branch and Enforcement Directorate are probing allegations of inflated pricing, manipulation of tender specifications and favouritism towards select suppliers, while chief minister had earlier ordered an inquiry into the role of senior health officials.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n