Behind Ahmedabad's Ventilator Controversy, a Backstory of Connections to Top BJP Leaders

'The Narendra Modi government is procuring 5,000 ventilators from a Rajkot-based firm which has already been accused of supplying breathing machines to Ahmedabad’s largest COVID-19 hospital that doctors there say are not up to the mark. The firm’s current and former promoters have had close associations with top BJP leaders – with at least one business family, The Wire has established, linked to the controversial gift of an expensive suit to Prime Minister Modi. This procurement is being done through state-run HLL Lifecare, according to Gujarat’s principal health secretary Jayanti Ravi. It is also possible that the purchase is being supported by financial resources provided by the PM Cares Fund, which said earlier this month that it was spending Rs 2,000 crore for the purchase of 50,000 “made in India” ventilators...'

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