IMS-BHU Vigilance Probe Examines ₹21.89 Crore Machine Procurement

Varanasi: A vigilance team is examining records and equipment connected to the procurement of six airborne bioload-control machines at the Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, after a complaint questioned the purchase process and pricing.

The two-member team from Delhi spent several days reviewing files, questioning officials and inspecting a machine installed near an operating theatre. The equipment was reportedly bought through the Government e-Marketplace with a combined procurement value of about ₹21.89 crore, or roughly ₹3.64 crore per unit.

Those figures are allegations under examination, not a finding of wrongdoing. The inquiry has not announced a conclusion, and price comparisons alone cannot establish irregularity because model, capacity, warranty, installation, accessories and technical specifications can vary between purchases.

What investigators are checking

The complaint cited lower prices allegedly paid for equipment described as similar at other medical institutions. Investigators are therefore studying the sanctioned specifications, bidding and approval records, vendor documents, delivery and installation files, and payment trail. A physical inspection can also help determine whether the supplied systems match the tendered configuration.

The machines are designed to control airborne biological load in sensitive clinical environments. That makes performance requirements, validation and service support important parts of any fair comparison. The central question is not simply whether another institution bought a machine with a similar label for less, but whether IMS-BHU followed the required process and obtained equipment matching its approved need.

Why the inquiry matters

IMS-BHU is a major public medical institution serving Varanasi and a much wider region. Large equipment purchases affect both public funds and patient care, so a documented, independent review is in the institution’s interest. A clear finding can identify responsibility if rules were breached or dispel suspicion if the procurement was justified.

The scrutiny also comes during a period of administrative attention at the institute. IMS-BHU recently reversed the promotions of 39 nursing officers after a separate roster review, a development unrelated to the machine purchase but relevant to the institution’s governance environment.

Until the vigilance process is complete, claims about inflated pricing or responsibility should not be treated as proven. The next meaningful step will be a written report setting out the equipment specifications, procurement chronology and any recommended administrative or legal action. IMS-BHU’s response to those findings will determine whether further investigation is required.