Thiruvananthapuram: Giving more arms to the Opposition in the allegations over the purchase of PPE kits at exorbitant rates, a reply to the query based on the RTI Act has revealed that Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was aware of the health department's decision. 

RTI shows that both former finance minister Thomas Issac and CM Pinarayi Vijayan has signed on the file pertaining to the purchase. This suggests that not just the former health minister KK Shailaja, but also the finance minister and Chief Minister were aware of the purchase of PPE kits at a three-fold rate.

As per the store purchase manual, the Kerala Medical Service Corporation requires the assent of the government for procuring the PPE kits. The information obtained through the RTI petition shows that the Corporation brought PPE kits from San Pharma company at a rate far higher than the market rate.

It is learnt that the price increased three-fold within a day. On purchase dated 29th March 2020, a single PPE kit was priced at Rs 446, while on the purchase dated 30th March 2020, it became Rs 1,550. The purchase of these expensive PPE kits was approved by KK Shailaja and finance minister Thomas Issac. A note file signed by the duo for the purchase has come out. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also signed this file.

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​When the allegation was in the limelight, KK Shailaja maintained that the decision was taken due to the exigency of the raging Covid-19 pandemic. The latest development in the matter is due to the query filed by an RTI activist cum Congress leader Adv CR Pranakumar.