Administrative delay holds up Rs 36 lakh Blood Carrier Van at GMC Baramulla

Baramulla, Oct 1: Nearly nine months after funds were sanctioned, a blood carrier van for Government Medical College (GMC) Baramulla, valued at Rs 36 lakh, is yet to be procured, highlighting administrative delays.

The District Administration Baramulla had approved the funds in February 2025 under NITI Aayog grants for aspirational districts. The van was intended to support the hospital in arranging blood across locations and ease patient care. However, despite the passage of time, it remains unprocured.

An official told Greater Kashmir that GMC Baramulla was already facing a shortage of ambulances. During a meeting chaired by the Deputy Commissioner, authorities had requested dialysis machines and a blood carrier van.

“The Deputy Commissioner approved Rs 1 crore for dialysis machines and Rs 36 lakh for the blood carrier van,” the official said. While seven new dialysis machines were successfully procured through the J&K Medical Supplies Corporation Limited, the van has not been acquired.

The delay, according to officials, is partly due to the choice of procuring through motor garages instead of the GeM portal, resulting in multiple hurdles and re-tendering processes. “Nine months have passed, and Rs 36 lakh remain unutilised. This has also affected the release of further grants from NITI Aayog,” the official added.

Principal GMC Baramulla, Dr Majid Jahangir, when contacted, told Greater Kashmir that the procurement was in its final stage.

"It is not about the procurement of a small item which can be purchased from a roadside vendor. We are procuring it through Motor Garages. The process faced many hurdles," Principal GMC said.

"We had to re-tender it many times. Procuring a blood van costs more than the funds available for it, so Motor Garages has decided to procure a normal van and modify it as per the requirement," he said.