Jaipur: The Rajasthan Medical Services Corporation Limited (RMSCL) has come under scrutiny over a controversial tender worth Rs 343 crore, issued for biomedical equipment maintenance in medical institutions. The tender, issued in June 2024, significantly exceeded its estimated cost of Rs 168 crore, prompting concerns about procedural compliance.
Health minister Gajendra Khimsar ordered the investigation, leading principal secretary (health) Gayatri Rathore to establish a high-level committee to examine the matter. “A committee comprising the additional mission director – National Health Mission (NHM), director (finance) NHM, and director (reproduction and child health) has been constituted to look into the details and submit a report in a week’s time,” Rathore told TOI.
Khimsar questioned officials over the absence of necessary ministerial approvals despite substantial financial implications. He said, “No approval was obtained at the level of health minister despite financial implications running into several hundred crores. Consequently, there was no administrative sanction from either department at the time of floating the tender or issuing work orders.”
On March 22, Khimsar said, “RMSCL officers appear to have mistaken govt funds for a limitless resource to be spent at their discretion. Issuing a tender without mandatory approvals is an act of insubordination that will not be tolerated. Moreover, commencement of any work without appropriate administrative and financial sanction creates an undue liability on govt resources, leading to financial mismanagement and potential legal complications.”
He also called the issue a matter of grave concern, reflecting blatant disregard for financial discipline and due process. “Govt cannot and will not allow reckless financial decisions to jeopardise public resources. The integrity of governance must be upheld at all costs,” he said.
RMSCL managing director Neha Giri defended the organisation’s actions, stating proper procedures were followed. “All the tenders were floated after due approval of RMSCL chairperson. No financial irregularities were done. We sent the report to chief secretary addressing all issues raised. The tender was issued in June last year after approval by the board constituted under RMSCL and was duly approved.”
Giri added that the assessment of Rs 168 crore expenditure was calculated three years ago and costs of manpower, penalties, etc increased, leading to a Rs 343 cr hike in tender amount. “The tender was not issued to one company but to different companies, zone-wise. We are submitting a detailed report to the CM’s office,” Giri said.
