Congress alleges BJP of using PM-CARES Fund for Dhaman-1 ventilators

Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera alleged BJP's top leader behind the procurement of the controversial Dhaman-1 ventilators. He also asked whether the PM-CARES Fund has also been used in the procurement of these machines by the Central Government.

New Delhi: As the Central Government is procuring 5,000 ventilators from Rajkot-based firm, which has been accused of supplying breathing machines to Ahmedabad's largest COVID-19 hospital, Congress questions top BJP leaders in connection with the manufacturers behind this controversy.

"When the entire world is grappling with COVID-19 and the impact it has had on their lives and economic well being, we come across layers and layers of controversies coming from Gujarat in its fight against this pandemic," said Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera.

The machines called 'Dhaman-1' is a Make In India product which were aggressively promoted by Gujarat government, after its inauguration by Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, and marketed as a 'glorious achievement'.

While explaining the matter, Pawan Khera said, "The press release of the day calls this machine a ventilator, not once but 10 times and compliments Parakram Jadeja and the company Jyoti CNC for making this low-cost ventilator within 10 days. After hearing so much praise by Chief Minister and Gujarat government other states also got inspired and ordered these machines."

After the controversy broke out, the Gujarat Government claimed that it never described those machines as ventilators. But in its own press release, these machines have been referred to as 'ventilator' and also being called as a 'glorious achievement' which would 'add a new feather' to PM Modi's 'dream campaign of Make in India'.

However, Gujarat CM's claims about the machines did not back by the state's doctors and they wrote a letter to the government asking for more ventilators. "They informed that Dhaman-1 does not work on patients, and is not a good ventilator," said Congress leader.

He further added, "There were media reports that quote doctors who say Dhaman-1 is not a ventilator but a mechanised AMBU (Artificial Manual Breathing Unit) bag. While the company's website, Gujarat CM and his government insist that it is a ventilator."

Making a claim of the background connection of top BJP leaders with the manufacturers of this machine, Jyoti CNC, Khera said, "One of the business families who have been associated with them are the Viranis, who gifted an expensive suit to PM Narendra Modi with his name monogrammed all over, which he wore during an event with Barak Obama in 2015."

He also mentioned that for many years, the businessman, Ramesh Kumar Bhikhabhai Virani had a significant financial stake in Jyoti CNC.

Mentioning about the number of deaths occurred in Civil Hospital of Ahmedabad, he questioned the government for allowing installation of these machines in the hospital which do not even have a license from the Drug Control Department. He also asked whether the PM-CARES Fund has also been used in the procurement of these machines by the central government.