THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, Oct 8: The Jharkhand unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has levelled serious allegations of corruption against the state’s Health Department, claiming a ₹50-crore scam is being planned through a recent manpower supply tender.
BJP State Spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo told reporters at the party headquarters that the Office of the Civil Surgeon-cum-Chief Medical Officer, Ranchi, issued e-tender No. 4374 (dated 20 September 2025) for hiring nursing, paramedical, and technical staff. He alleged that the tender’s eligibility conditions were framed in such a way that local firms from Jharkhand cannot participate, while a blacklisted company from Bihar stands to benefit.
BJP Questions Transparency in Health Tender
“The Chief Minister and Health Minister often speak about Adivasi, Moolvasi and Jharkhandiyat, but this tender seems aimed at helping a blacklisted Bihar-based firm,” Shahdeo said.
ALSO READ: Saryu Roy flags rampant illegal coal trade in Bermo, writes to CM Hemant Soren
He claimed that when a similar tender was issued in 2022, the eligibility criteria were far more practical. The new conditions, he argued, have been made “five times stricter”, apparently to suit one company.
Eligibility Criteria Sharply Increased Since 2022
According to Shahdeo, the differences between the 2022 and 2025 tenders are significant:
Security deposit (EMD) raised from ₹4 lakh to ₹15 lakh
Minimum single work order value increased from ₹3 crore to ₹15 crore
ECR requirement expanded from 300 to 1,500 personnel
Average annual turnover requirement hiked from ₹5 crore to ₹25 crore
He further alleged that even though the targeted company has been debarred by a reputed Jharkhand university, the tender allows blacklisted firms to participate by merely giving an undertaking — a clause that “defeats the purpose of due diligence”.
BJP Demands Probe by Anti-Corruption Bureau
Calling it a “₹50-crore scam in the making”, Shahdeo said the BJP will escalate the issue to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and seek a comprehensive investigation.
“The tender appears to be structured to exclude Jharkhand-based firms and favour one specific company. The government must explain why these changes were made,” he added.
