Mumbai: The Employees State Insurance Scheme (ESIS) of Maharashtra, Regional Office at Panchdeep Bhavan, N M Joshi Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai, is under scrutiny following troubling revelations by the news agency Hashtag Truth. Investigations have uncovered alarming signs of corruption and irregularities in the department’s procurement processes under the “Safe and Smart Hospital” scheme Tender.
Tender Scandal Raises Eyebrows
According to internal sources accessed by Hashtag Truth, ESIS Maharashtra released three tender notifications under the “Safe and Smart Hospital” scheme on the same day: September 6, 2024. These tenders are identified as:
- BID NO. GEM2024B5366002
- BID NO. GEM2024B5367065
- BID NO. GEM2024B5366997
What makes this sequence suspicious is the timing—during the Maharashtra assembly’s election period—and the uniformity of the tender names, raising concerns of premeditated irregularities.
Pricing Irregularities and Flawed Approval Process
Hashtag Truth’s investigation, led by journalist Ejaz Ahmed Pathan, uncovered that the products procured—such as computers, microphones, CCTV systems, and digital display equipment—were listed at significantly inflated prices compared to prevailing market rates. This discrepancy suggests potential collusion with tender holders.
Adding to the controversy, ESIS Maharashtra bypassed established norms by seeking pricing approval from an engineering college in Pune. As per procurement rules, such pricing approvals must come from the IT Department of Maharashtra, which specializes in evaluating the costs of electronic and IT-related products. The fact that this “approval” was granted in a single day further raises questions about the due diligence of the process.
Neglected Responsibilities Towards Laborers
While funds are seemingly misused in questionable procurements, the ESIC Maharashtra department has failed to fulfill its primary mandate of providing quality healthcare to the state’s laborers. Hashtag Truth’s report highlights the following:
- Inadequate Facilities: Most ESIS hospitals in Maharashtra lack basic infrastructure, leaving patients in substandard conditions.
- Unpaid Bills: Private hospitals attached to the ESIS network often face significant delays in bill payments, causing disruptions in service delivery.
This glaring neglect contrasts sharply with the department’s claims of improving healthcare through high-profile schemes like “Safe and Smart Hospital.”
Unanswered Questions and Lack of Transparency
Hashtag Truth reached out to the CEO/Commissioner of ESIC Maharashtra with a formal letter detailing these concerns. Despite repeated attempts, no response has been received. Furthermore, efforts to contact Dr. Kolnurkar, the Medical Director of ESIC Maharashtra, were met with silence, as calls went unanswered.
Call for Accountability
These findings necessitate an immediate investigation into the procurement practices of ESIS Maharashtra. Key steps that must be taken include:
- Independent Audit: Conduct a thorough review of the tender process to identify irregularities and hold responsible parties accountable.
- Compliance Check: Ensure adherence to government rules, particularly in obtaining pricing approvals from designated specialist departments.
- Healthcare Improvement: Redirect funds towards enhancing hospital infrastructure and ensuring timely payments to private healthcare providers.
A Wake-Up Call
The revelations by Hashtag Truth underscore the urgent need for accountability and transparency in ESIC Maharashtra. As the primary custodian of laborers’ healthcare, the corporation cannot afford to prioritize questionable procurements over its fundamental responsibilities. The labor force, which forms the backbone of the state’s economy, deserves better.
Stay tuned to Hashtag Truth for updates on this developing story.
