Maharashtra’s Child Health Crisis: An ₹87 Cr Scandal
· Health Program Derailed by Tender Fraud
· Maharashtra’s Child Health Crisis
• Contractor Fails, System Looks Away
Unmesh Gujarathi
Sprouts News Exclusive
Contact: +91 9322755098
The Sprouts News Special Investigation Team (SIT) has uncovered an ₹87 crore tender scam crippling Maharashtra’s National Child Health Program. A contractor failed to supply 1,213 vehicles for rural child health screenings. Despite clear violations and contract cancellation, no penalties were enforced, exposing grave procurement failures. The SIT continues to monitor the state’s response.
Maharashtra’s Child Health Program Stalled:
Alleged ₹87 Crore Tender Scam Exposes Systemic Flaws in RBSK Vehicle Procurement
The National Child Health Program (RBSK), a critical initiative for early childhood healthcare, has been severely disrupted due to a major tender controversy. The cancellation of an ₹87 crore contract for leasing 1,213 vehicles has exposed significant administrative failures and alleged malpractice within Maharashtra’s public health machinery. The Sprouts News Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been tracking this scandal, revealing how procedural delays and contractor non-compliance are impacting rural healthcare services.
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What is the RBSK Program and Why Are Vehicles Critical?
The Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) deploys 1,213 medical teams across Maharashtra to conduct health screenings for children in rural schools. These mobile health units are essential for early detection of disabilities, deficiencies, and diseases. However, the program has been hamstrung for five years due to unresolved tender processes for the vehicles needed to transport these teams. The recent cancellation of a high-value lease contract has further delayed services, raising alarms about governance in health sector procurement.
The Scandal: Contract Awarded and Cancelled Amid Non-Compliance
On 30th December 2024, the Directorate of Health Services (Transport), Pune, awarded a two-year lease contract worth ₹87 crores to M/s Maharashtra Vikas Group Company, Nashik, for providing 1,213 vehicles. As per tender conditions, the company was mandated to supply 98% of the vehicles within 30 days of receiving the work order. The company failed to meet this deadline. On 1st July 2025, it requested a six-month extension and sought relaxations in tender terms. The Central Purchase Committee of the health department discussed the request on 2nd June 2025 but refused to dilute the terms. Following directives from the Health Commissionerate, Mumbai, the contract was terminated on 2nd July 2025 for breach of conditions.
Why Was No Penal Action Taken Against the Defaulting Firm?
Advocate Dharma Manohar Kambale, in a legal notice to the Joint Director of Health Services (Transport) on 12th August 2025, highlighted a critical omission: the department’s failure to forfeit the bank guarantee of the defaulting firm as per tender rules. The notice stated that the High Court’s Aurangabad Bench had already upheld the tender conditions in a related case, and not enforcing the forfeiture clause could amount to contempt of court. The Sprouts News Special Investigation Team (SIT) confirms that no punitive financial action has been initiated against the firm to date, raising questions about possible collusion.
Wider Pattern of Irregularities in Health Department Procurement
This incident is not isolated. The health department is currently grappling with multiple procurement scandals:
· Cold Chain Scam: A ₹250 crore procurement of cold chain equipment for vaccine storage is under investigation for financial irregularities and rule violations.
· Medical Equipment Tender Scam: A ₹56 crore tender for lab equipment, including microscopes and hemoglobin meters, was flagged for cartelization and procedural violations.
· Health ATM Overpricing: Devices available for ₹4.48 lakhs on the GEM portal were purchased for ₹6.10 lakhs each from Hindustan Antibiotics Ltd. (HAL) without a tender, causing an estimated ₹100 crore loss.
The Sprouts News Special Investigation Team (SIT) has linked these scams to a broader pattern of weak oversight and alleged corruption within the state’s health procurement ecosystem.
Also Read: Bhopal’s Machli Scandal Mirrors Ajmer 1992 Horror.
Official Response and Next Steps
When contacted, Joint Director Jaywant Mule stated that temporary vehicles are being leased at the district level to minimize disruption to child health screenings. He confirmed that a proposal for penal action against the defaulting firm is under consideration at senior levels, and a new tender process will be initiated within 15 days. State Health Minister Prakash Abitkar assured that an inquiry into the delay would be conducted and action taken.
Systemic Reforms Needed
The RBSK vehicle scam underscores a debilitating trend of inefficiency and impunity in Maharashtra’s health administration. While contracts are cancelled for non-compliance, the lack of penal action erodes accountability. The government must not only expedite the new tender but also implement robust monitoring mechanisms to prevent such disruptions. The welfare of millions of rural children cannot be held hostage to procedural failures and alleged corruption. The Sprouts News Special Investigation Team (SIT) will continue to monitor the progress of this case and the promised inquiry.
