Procurement to cope with COVID-19: Punjab to approach Centre for relaxing rules

LAHORE: The Punjab government will approach the federal government for relaxing the rules to support the province for COVID-19-related procurement as well as arrangement for supply of all materials like masks, protection suites, sanitizers and lifting of China's State Own Enterprise (SOE) controls on supplies from China.

The decision was made in the maiden meeting of the Steering Committee of the Economic Stabilization Plan in the wake of the COVID-19 emergency. The meeting was chaired by Punjab Finance Minister Hashim Jawan Bakht. Interestingly, the government invited two retired bureaucrats former chairman Planning and Development Punjab Salman Ghani and former secretary Finance and Governor State Bank of Pakistan Tariq Bajwa in the meeting to get their suggestions and benefits from their experiences. The other officials included Advisor to Chief Minister for Finance Dr Salman Shah, Chairman Planning and Development Hamid Yaqoob Sheikh, Secretary Finance Abdullah Sumbal and secretaries of Finance, Health, Punjab Social Protection Authority, DFID, PITB and Urban Unit.

It was pointed out in the meeting that government officials are reluctant in procurement of equipment and other required materials to cope with coronavirus due to NAB inquires even after retirement from service. Further, the lengthy procurement process could delay the required equipment like masks, gloves, gowns and other safety gadgets to protect the public from the pandemic of coronavirus.

It was suggested in the meeting by the former bureaucrats that the prime minister of Pakistan after consulting the NAB chairman relax the rules for coronavirus-related procurement across the country. Otherwise, the officials will remain reluctant that could be resulted in further delay in the procurement of direly-needed items, which could cause spread of COVID-19 in the country.

The meeting decided to approach the federal government through the Chief Minister's Office for support. It decided more than Rs 10 billion resources allocation for the COVID-19 Fund, out of which Rs 5 billion have been announced by Chief Minister Usman Buzdar during his visit to DG Khan on Wednesday evening. Other funds will be allocated in accordance with the demand generated by the health and other departments.

The meeting constituted three working groups with defined Terms of Reference (ToRs). The three groups will chalk out recommendations on health, infrastructure, financial needs, economic impact analysis on businesses and social protection plan for the vulnerable community such as daily wagers and factory workers.

Hashim Jawan Bakht talking to The News said the three working groups will chalk out plans in their respective areas to be implemented. He said the private sector will be engaged and a plan will be chalked out for the worst scenario. He said the government is cognizant of the economic impact the current crisis will have on businesses and people and is drawing out plans for a comprehensive economic stabilization and bailout packages for health infrastructure, financial needs and social protection.

The Planning and Development and Finance Departments will work in coordination to ensure that the Primary and Secondary Health Departments get required resources without delay.

The social protection group will come up with suggestions and recommendations such as disbursement of resources among the vulnerable communities, small businesses, daily wagers and people working in informal workplaces such as construction industry, restaurants and others.

The meeting discussed that in any case, the supply chain should not be disturbed, and if needed, passenger transport should be restricted while goods transport should continue operations normally. This will ensure food supplies to the public.