Haryana Congress Legislature Party leader Kiran Choudhry today asked the BJP Government to move fast in the matter to overcome shortage and ensure adequate supply of essential medicines and other items following the refusal of suppliers to supply these at pre-GST rates. 

Since they are refusing to supply these at old rates post-GST, the Government should empower district hospitals to make purchases locally to meet the shortage, she said in a statement here.The former Excise and Taxation Minister said according to reports received from various hospitals in the state, medicines, including the life-saving ones, syringes, cotton, bandages and other essential items were running in short supply and the patients were suffering. Even the warehouses do not have adequate stocks. 

The implementation of GST has had an adverse impact on the health services in the state. The Government should fast-track new tenders to meet the crisis. There are about 450 items, including medicines, for which tenders are called. Time is of essence in such cases and the Government should shed its lethargic approach and act fast."Until fresh tenders are floated at post-GST rates, a process which would take a long time, the State Government should immediately empower hospital authorities in the districts to locally purchase medicines and other items over and above their sanctioned limit and ensure that there is no shortage, and the patients do not suffer," Ms Choudhry demanded.