ICMR Calls Out Fake News Spread By Congress Leader Alleging Undue Benefit To Gujarat Covid-19 Test Kit Supplier

The Indian Council of Medical Research on Monday (27 April) called out fake news by Congress leader Udit Raj who spread an allegation that a contract has been given to Gujarat based company an an exorbitant rate to manufacture Covid-19 testing kits.

Raj on Sunday had spread an allegation that a contract for testing kits had been given at a rate of Rs 4,500 per kit while 17 other companies were willing to supply it for as little as Rs 500.

The tweet soon went viral garnering over 800 retweets and 1,300 likes.

The ICMR today though replied to Raj on this tweet by dubbing the allegation as fake news.

In the tweet ICMR informed that no test kits have been procured for Rs 4,500 as alleged in the Facebook post. The approved price range for Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test is Rs 740 to Rs 1,150 and Rs 528 to Rs 795 for rapid testing kit.

It added that in case any Indian company seeks to supply the medical equipment at a lower rate should contact either ICMR or the Joint Secretary (Health Research).