THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, Sept 24: Jharkhand’s politics heated up on Tuesday after BJP state president and Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi shot off a strongly worded letter to Chief Minister Hemant Soren, demanding a high-level probe into what he called a “systematic scam” in the Health Department’s tender process.
Marandi alleged that tenders worth crores were manipulated to benefit a single family through shell companies, under the alleged patronage of Health Minister Dr Irfan Ansari. He urged the CM to file an FIR and ensure an impartial investigation, warning that “public money has been looted in the name of healthcare.”
11 Tenders, 3 Companies, One Address
According to Marandi’s letter, between December 2024 and September 2025, the Health Department floated 11 tenders on the GeM portal across districts, including Ranchi, Bokaro, Dumka, Jamtara, Deoghar, and Seraikela-Kharsawan.
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Shockingly, all 11 tenders were awarded to just three companies — Hind Infraproject Pvt. Ltd., M/s Bharat Art & Supplier, and M/s Global Arts & Suppliers.
Marandi pointed out that:
- All three firms are registered at the same Ranchi address (Irgu Road, Pahari Tola).
- Their directors/proprietors — Khwaja Abdul Gudir Ahmed Butt, Khwaja Mohsin Ahmed, and Farhan Ahmed Butt — belong to the same family.
- One of them, Khwaja Mohsin Ahmed, is listed as director in two companies simultaneously, which should have led to disqualification under Clause 29 of GeM rules.
“Manipulation from the Top”
The Opposition leader alleged that bids submitted by these firms differed only by a few thousand rupees, “indicating a single source of price-fixing.” He further claimed that whenever a fourth company tried to compete, it was disqualified on “technical grounds.”
Citing inputs from medical experts, Marandi also alleged that the prices quoted were much higher than market rates, resulting in “massive misuse of government funds.”
“Such large-scale manipulation is impossible without ministerial patronage. Health Minister Irfan Ansari encouraged corruption by distributing tenders to his close associates,” the letter states.
Demand for FIR and SIT Probe
Marandi urged CM Hemant Soren to:
- File an FIR in the matter,
- Order a high-level, impartial inquiry (through a SIT or independent agency), and
- Ensure recovery of excess payments and legal action against those found guilty.
The BJP leader said he has credible information that the three companies were only “shell firms” and that the “real beneficiaries are influential individuals close to the minister.”
Political Storm Ahead?
The allegations come at a time when Jharkhand’s healthcare system is under scrutiny for rising expenses and shortages. With Marandi’s direct attack on a cabinet minister, the controversy is expected to trigger a political storm in the state assembly and beyond.
The state government has not yet issued a response.
