Varanasi: Questions have been raised over the procurement of surgical machines at the Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS), Banaras Hindu University (BHU), with allegations that the equipment was purchased at prices significantly higher than those paid by other government medical institutions. The matter has prompted complaints to the Ministry of Education, the Vigilance Department, the BHU Registrar and other authorities, seeking an investigation into the procurement process.
According to the complaint, IMS-BHU had floated a tender for the purchase of surgical machines required for hospital operations at Sir Sunderlal Hospital. Six machines were reportedly procured through a Delhi-based company. Complainant Satyendra Kumar has alleged that the same model of machine was purchased by Sher-i-Kashmir Medical College for around ₹60 lakh and by AIIMS for approximately ₹66 lakh, while IMS-BHU allegedly acquired each machine for ₹3.64 crore.
The complaint further claims that six such machines were purchased at a total cost of ₹21.89 crore, raising concerns over a substantial price difference. It also alleges that tenders and payments in several departments were processed in violation of guidelines issued by the Ministry of Finance and the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC).
The allegations have sparked demands for a thorough inquiry into the procurement process, pricing and compliance with established financial and vigilance norms. However, no official investigation findings have been released so far, and the claims remain unverified.
Responding to the allegations, Professor S.N. Sankhwar, Director of IMS-BHU, dismissed the accusations and said they were an attempt to tarnish the institution’s reputation. He maintained that all the allegations are false and stated that the company supplying the machines has provided written confirmation that it has not supplied the equipment to any institution at a price lower than what was charged to IMS-BHU.
