Cold chain equipment tender: Centre seeks report from state govt on allegations of irregularities

The Union government has directed Maharashtra’s Public Health Department to investigate alleged irregularities in a ₹62-crore tender for cold chain equipment meant for vaccine storage. The controversy centers on claims that the equipment was procured at four to five times the market price, and that the tender process was manipulated to favour select contractors.

The tendering process, completed just days before the announcement of the Assembly elections last year, is now under scrutiny following a complaint filed anonymously through the Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) on April 18.

In response, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (immunisation section) clarified on April 25 that the procurement was funded by the Maharashtra government and not through Central funds. Nonetheless, the Ministry forwarded the complaint to the state’s Mission Director of the National Health Mission (NHM) and the State Expanded Programme on Immunisation Officer (SEPIO), urging appropriate action and a detailed report.

According to the complaint, a group of officials and contractors allegedly defrauded the government of ₹40–50 crore. It accused them of inflating prices and structuring tender terms to favour two specific firms, leading to cartelisation. Despite these concerns being raised with higher authorities, the complaint claims a ₹22-crore payment was cleared for one contractor by the end of March.

The state government has yet to issue a formal response. The Health Ministry has requested to be kept informed of any action taken.