Hyderabad: Allegations of irregularities and corruption have surfaced in the award of a labour contract at Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS), with former contractors and hospital sources claiming that an unqualified Chennai-based company secured the tender despite not meeting eligibility criteria.
NIMS, one of the country’s leading government healthcare institutions, provides advanced medical treatment to thousands of patients, including beneficiaries under Aarogyasri, EHS, JHS and CMRF schemes. The latest allegations have raised concerns over transparency in the tender process for patient care and labour services at the hospital.
According to the allegations, tenders for the labour contract were invited in July last year. Tender conditions reportedly required participating companies to demonstrate experience in managing at least 500 patient care staff in a government super-specialty hospital with a minimum capacity of 500 beds during the previous three years.
Former contractors alleged that the selected Chennai-based firm lacked the required experience and qualifications. They claimed the company had primarily handled housekeeping, property management, building maintenance and security-related assignments. They further alleged that patient care services and clinical support functions were not included among the firm’s primary objectives as listed in its corporate registration documents.
Questions raised over NIMS labour contract evaluation
The controversy has intensified due to claims that the company submitted experience certificates that did not meet tender requirements. Allegations suggest that one of the certificates was signed by a Resident Medical Officer rather than a Medical Superintendent, as prescribed under the rules.
Critics have also alleged that the company received unusually high marks during the technical evaluation process, enabling it to emerge as the successful bidder despite questions over its eligibility. Similar allegations had reportedly surfaced when the same firm secured a contract at another government hospital in Hyderabad.
Further claims suggest that senior hospital officials played a role in facilitating the tender award. Some sources have alleged that large sums of money changed hands during the process. A doctor, speaking on condition of anonymity, alleged that a deal worth around Rs 1.50 crore was struck to ensure the contract was awarded to the firm.
However, these allegations have not been independently verified, and no official statement from NIMS authorities addressing the claims was available at the time of reporting. Any findings regarding irregularities or misconduct would depend on the outcome of an official inquiry.