Government Office inspectors have revealed that the administration of the State Material Reserves led by Slovak Democratic and Christian Union (SDKÚ) nominee Eva Hrinková repeatedly broke the law when selling platinum mesh to a company belonging to Michal Hudoba, an SDKÚ candidate in the 2010 elections. The inspection found that the administration breached the law when it invited possible bidders to take part in the sale via the web. Moreover, it acted illegally when selecting an expert to assess the value of the platinum being sold, the Sme daily wrote on Thursday, November 24. The daily reported that the platinum mesh is probably already abroad and the administration has lost the only existing sample.
Moreover, the material reserve case seems to be growing. In September 2011 it sold over 32 tonnes of TNT explosive for the extremely low price of 21 cents per kilogram, the Hospodárske Noviny daily wrote on Thursday, November 24. Experts say that the administration's price was two thirds lower than the current market price. The firm Corvus Slovakia bought the explosive after being the only bidder in an e-auction. Neither the State Reserves Administration, nor Corvus Slovakia offered an explanation. It seems that the state lost at least €13,000 in the sale, the daily wrote.
Sources: Sme, Hospodárske Noviny
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
24. Nov 2011 at 14:00
