Kanti Velugu to supply over 12 lakh spectacles

As part of strengthening the ongoing ‘Kanti Velugu’ project in the State and handover the prescription glass to beneficiaries, the health authorities here are in the process of procuring over 12 lakh spectacles with prescription lenses that come fitted in frames.The authorities here are looking at next six months to complete the supply of over 12 lakh spectacles, which will be poly-carbonate plastic frames with reading glasses made up of acrylic material.

While the process to identify reputed manufacturers who can deliver the humongous project is still ongoing, the Telangana State Medical Services and Infrastructure Development Corporation (TSMSIDC) officials said they would incur an expenditure of nearly Rs 33 crore to procure the spectacles. Launched this August, Kanti Velugu, the comprehensive eye-screening programme, has already screened close to 57 lakh persons across the State. In the last two months or so, through the eye screening camps, the authorities have distributed nearly 11 lakh reading glasses.

“Since the entire programme is ongoing and continuous to identify new beneficiaries who need reading glasses, there is a need to have a system to supply the spectacles at a steady pace,” officials said. As on October 16, according to the latest statistics from Kanti Velugu, there are 9,52,359 persons who have been identified for prescription glasses. The health authorities here said that price for the supply of spectacles with prescribed lenses mounted or fitted in the frame has been fixed at Rs 274.40 that also includes GST, transportation and other incidental charges.

The TSMSIDC, which is the procurement agency of spectacles, has called for a meeting with manufacturers and other private agencies involved in the entire process on October 19. To ensure quality standards are maintained while procuring the spectacle along with the lenses, the authorities at TSMSIDC have clearly defined what a typical spectacle with lenses should be.