AP Govt Health Deals: Allegations of Manipulated Tenders!
It is natural for government departments to issue contracts for various works. But the strange thing now is that a few individuals have managed to ensure that contracts are given only to certain chosen people and companies — all within a single department. That’s exactly what’s happening in the Andhra Pradesh government right now. In the Medical and Health Department, no work is being allotted to anyone other than a select few. According to sources in the department, the entire process is being controlled directly through the CMO (Chief Minister’s Office), bypassing even the concerned minister. Already, in the Andhra Pradesh Medical and Health Department, the 108 and 104 emergency services have been allotted to Bhavya Health Services, a company reportedly owned by Donepudi Pawan Kumar, who is known to be close to Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and a young leader associated with him. Despite securing these contracts at higher rates than those fixed by the previous YSRCP government, there are growing complaints that the quality of services has not improved at all.
It is also being alleged that there was major manipulation in the tender allocation itself. A Mumbai-based company was deliberately excluded from the bidding process so that Bhavya Health Services could be awarded the work, according to official sources. Now, it is said that similar large-scale contracts are being readied for allocation to “friendly companies.” Since awarding all the contracts under a single company’s name might raise suspicion, the key person who has gained control over the Medical and Health Department has reportedly brought in his close associate and business partner to take up some of the works under a different name, to make it look like fair distribution. Together, they have reportedly planned everything to bag contracts worth hundreds of crores.
With strong backing from the CMO, the department officials are reportedly unable to resist their demands and are forced to comply, a senior IAS officer revealed. Their influence in the Medical and Health Department is so strong that when officials are advised to approach the minister for approvals, they reportedly say, “Why meet the minister when we can get things done through the CMO?” — leaving the officials stunned. According to official sources, there are indications that soon even the setting up of CT scan machines and other related projects will be awarded to the same people. Not only in the Medical and Health Department but also in other departments, they are reportedly securing contracts in an irregular manner, draining public funds. Yet, the government’s silence on this has raised many eyebrows. Tender rules are supposed to ensure better services and public benefit. But in the Andhra Pradesh Medical and Health Department, it appears that they are being modified to suit the interests of certain chosen individuals and companies.
