Odisha Youth Congress has alleged corruption and deliberate delays in tendering by the Odisha State Medical Corporation Limited (OSMCL), claiming that repeated changes to technical specifications and delayed procurement have affected the availability of critical medical equipment across the state. OSMCL managing director Smita Pani denied wrongdoing and said the corporation follows all rules, regulations and guidelines in its tendering processes.
Odisha Youth Congress president Ranjit Patra alleged that two OSMCL officials were delaying government procedures and tenders by repeatedly citing incompatibility in technical specifications. According to Patra, specifications were altered several times to push participating companies into informal negotiations, after which tenders were awarded to firms that had an “understanding” with the officials.
Patra also alleged that members of technical committees were pressured to approve changes after being told that the decisions had government approval. The allegations were made in the context of procurement undertaken by OSMCL, which functions under Odisha’s health and family welfare department.
The Youth Congress said its work with blood banks across Odisha, including the facilitation of blood donation camps, had brought equipment shortages to its notice. It identified storage refrigerators, minus 80°C and minus 40°C freezers, centrifuges and other infrastructure as among the equipment allegedly in short supply.
The organisation claimed that OSMCL had initiated tender processes for this equipment in 2023, but that they had not been finalised because of the alleged personal interests of the two officials. The source report did not provide details of the tender numbers, estimated values, participating companies or the current status of each procurement process.
The Youth Congress further alleged irregularities in a tender for furniture and accessories supplied to government medical colleges. It claimed that some of the furniture was substandard, had begun to rust and was already in poor condition at institutions including Puri Medical College. OSMCL’s response, as reported, addressed the corporation’s compliance with tendering rules but did not include specific comments on the furniture allegations.
Patra also alleged that the officials were delaying compliance with High Court directions related to schemes and equipment procurement, affecting essential healthcare services. The source report did not identify the cases, orders or deadlines connected with these allegations.
The Youth Congress has demanded the early completion of pending tenders, a detailed investigation into the allegations, scrutiny of the officials’ assets and action within a month. It warned that it would organise protests outside the health minister’s residence if no action was taken. OSMCL has maintained that its tendering work is conducted in accordance with applicable rules, regulations and guidelines.
