Mumbai Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Mihir Kotecha has written to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) chief Ashwini Bhide, alleging Rs 45 crore scam in civic hospital tenders.
Demanding that the BMC hospital tenders be scrapped, Kotecha has called for a probe into alleged manipulation in the bidding process and the role of senior officials in the civic body’s Health Department.
According to the letter, Mulund MLA Kotecha claimed that the lowest bidder, Aura FMS Pvt Ltd, quoted more than 20 per cent below the estimated cost.
He alleged that the company entered “zero” for key components such as gratuity, service charges, safety equipment, and cleaning materials—despite these being mandatory in the tender.
The MLA questioned how a contractor could manage large hospital facilities without accounting for basic expenses.
“As per Section 53 of the Code on Social Security, 2020, gratuity payment is mandatory after one year. Aura FMS seems to be acting like the biggest social worker in the country, as they are not going to earn a single rupee in a Rs 266-crore contract covering 41 lakh sq. ft. of hospital space,” Kotecha stated.
Questions over labour welfare and safety
Referring to the Code on Social Security 2020, Kotecha said gratuity payments are mandatory after one year of service.
He also alleged that quoting zero for safety equipment could compromise worker welfare and violate labour laws.
BJP legislator also claimed that the company quoted zero for safety materials for labourers, compromising worker health and violating labour laws. “It seems Aura FMS has a magic wand. They will maintain 41 lakh sq. ft. of hospital area, including 800 bathrooms, without using any cleaning materials or incurring any cost,” he said.
He alleged that officials in the Health Department were “hand-in-glove” in the process.
Work allegedly started before approval
The BJP leader also alleged that labourers had already been deployed at KEM Hospital even before the standing committee had formally approved the proposal.
He termed this a misuse of power and raised concerns about procedural violations.
The BMC has not yet responded to the allegations. The issue is expected to be discussed in detail during the standing committee meeting.
