HC bins plea against OSMCL tender for NAT Testing units in 45 blood centres

THE Orissa High Court has dismissed a petition filed by a manufacturing company challenging the tender conditions floated by the Odisha State Medical Corporation Limited (OSMCL) for implementation of NAT (Nucleic Acid Testing) facilities across 45 blood centres in the state under public-private-partnership (PPP) mode.

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The petitioner contended that the tender clause mandating USFDA or European CE certification was discriminatory and effectively barred indigenous manufacturers from participating, thereby contradicting the government of India's 'Make in India' initiative.

Arguing that the clause was restrictive and unfair, the petitioner had initially approached the competent authority seeking amendment of the condition. Responding to the representation, the OSMCL revised the tender clause to also include BIS-certified products, allowing Indian manufacturers to participate.