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By:

Rajendra Joshi

3 December 2024 at 3:50:26 am

Procurement first, infrastructure later

Procurement at multiples of market price; equipment before infrastructure; no accountability Kolhapur: Maharashtra’s Medical Education and Public Health Departments have been on an aggressive drive to expand public healthcare infrastructure. Daily announcements of new centres, advanced equipment and expanded services have reassured citizens long denied dependable public healthcare. Procurement of medical equipment, medicines and surgical supplies is reportedly being undertaken at rates two to...

Procurement first, infrastructure later

Procurement at multiples of market price; equipment before infrastructure; no accountability Kolhapur: Maharashtra’s Medical Education and Public Health Departments have been on an aggressive drive to expand public healthcare infrastructure. Daily announcements of new centres, advanced equipment and expanded services have reassured citizens long denied dependable public healthcare. Procurement of medical equipment, medicines and surgical supplies is reportedly being undertaken at rates two to ten times higher than prevailing market prices. Basic economics dictates that bulk government procurement ought to secure better rates than private buyers, not worse. During the Covid-19 pandemic, equipment and consumables were procured at five to ten times the market rate, with government audit reports formally flagging these irregularities. Yet accountability has remained elusive. The pattern is illustrated vividly in Kolhapur. The Dean of Rajarshi Shahu Government Medical College announced that a PET scan machine worth Rs 35 crore would soon be installed at Chhatrapati Pramilaraje (CPR) Government Hospital for cancer diagnosis. But a comparable machine is available in the market for around Rs 6.5 crore. A senior cancer surgeon at a major cancer hospital in western Maharashtra, where a similar machine was recently installed, remarked that the gap between what his hospital paid and what the government is reportedly paying was enough to make one ‘feel dizzy’. The label of a ‘turnkey project’ does not adequately explain a price differential of this magnitude. High Costs CPR Hospital recently had a state-of-the-art IVF centre approved at a sanctioned cost of Rs 7.20 crore. Senior fertility specialists across Maharashtra note that even a modern IVF centre with advanced reproductive technology equipment typically costs between Rs 2.5 crore and Rs 3 crore. The state’s outlay is reportedly approaching Rs 15 crore. Equipment arrived in June 2025 and lay idle for months owing to indecision about the site. Similarly, digital X-ray machines approved for CPR Hospital and a government hospital in Nanded; available in the market for roughly Rs 1.5 crore; were reportedly procured at Rs 9.98 crore per unit. Doctors in CPR’s radiology department, apprehensive about being drawn into potential inquiries, reportedly resisted accepting the equipment. One departmental head was transferred amid disagreements over signing off on the proposal. What’s Wrong These cases point to a deeper structural failure: Maharashtra has perfected what might be called the ‘equipment first, infrastructure later’ model. In any public hospital, the administrative sequence ought to be: identify space, create infrastructure, sanction specialist posts, and only then procure equipment. Compounding the procurement paradox is a parallel policy decision. On 20 December 2025, the state government decided to introduce radiology diagnostic services through a Public-Private Partnership model (PPP). Following this, an order issued on 6 February 2026 authorised private operators to provide PET scan, MRI and CT scan services at six government medical college hospitals: in Pune, Kolhapur, Miraj, Sangli, Mumbai and Baramati. CPR already has a 126-slice CT scan machine and a 3 Tesla MRI scanner, with another CT scan proposed. If the PPP arrangement proceeds, the hospital could simultaneously run one PET scan machine, two MRI scanners and three CT scan machines. Medical experts warn this could lead to unnecessary diagnostic testing simply to keep machines occupied, thus exposing patients to excess radiation while government-owned equipment gathers dust. A similar pattern was seen during the pandemic, when the Medical Education Department spent hundreds of crores on RT-PCR machines, only to award swab-testing contracts to a private company. Many of those machines remain unused today.

Tribal Spirit Shines at Kumbh

India’s ancient spirit came alive as tribals, youth, and saints converged at the Triveni Sangam in a vibrant celebration of unity and faith.

The Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj broke records and spotlighted India’s enduring spiritual and cultural legacy. Viewed through mythological, religious, and historical lenses, it offered new insight into timeless traditions. Even today, the Triveni Sangam remains a powerful symbol of religious identity.


`In a tech-driven era, India’s spiritual roots continue to transcend caste, class, wealth, education, and status—bound by faith. This historic Kumbh rekindled that spiritual flame.


Marking the RSS centenary, the Akhil Bharatiya Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram hosted the Janajati Sanskritik Samagam from 6–10 February 2025. Over 10,000 traditionally dressed tribals joined a grand procession and rituals at the Triveni Sangam. The Yuva Kumbh added youthful energy and broad participation.


Held every 12 years, the Kumbh Mela symbolises Indian identity and faith. Tribals eagerly await it, though many face challenges due to distance and lack of transport. Since 2005, the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram has helped tribals attend Kumbhs—whether in Shabari, Ujjain, Nashik, or Prayagraj—to offer prayers and take the sacred dip.


Bringing 15,000 tribals to this year’s Prayagraj Kumbh took careful planning. Multiple meetings were held between Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, spiritual leaders like Swami Avadheshanand Giri Maharaj, Mahant Raghunathbappa Farshiware Baba, Swami Kailashanand Giri Maharaj, and organisations like Surabhi Pratishthan and Uttam Dham.


From 6–10 February, the temporary Birsa Centre hosted the Janajati Yuva Kumbh, royal baths, processions, folk art displays, and gatherings of tribal saints and social workers.


The main event, on 6 February, witnessed over 5,000 tribal youth take part. Key attendees included Swami Avadheshanand Giri Maharaj—the only Mahamandaleshwar from the tribal community—Swami Raghunathbappa Maharaj, Union Minister Shri Durga Das Uike, Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram President Shri Satyendra Singh, ex-NCST Chairman Shri Harsh Chouhan, and Padma Shri Chaitram Pawar.


Shri Chouhan spoke of the Kumbh’s role in preserving tribal identity, calling it a living symbol of forest-rooted culture. Saints urged youth to treasure their forest traditions and called on spiritual leaders to visit tribal areas to experience their sacredness. They stressed that the Kumbh remains incomplete without forest-dweller unity—echoing Swami Avadheshanand Giri Maharaj’s words earlier in Prayagraj.


The Yuva Kumbh also spotlighted tribal struggles and achievements. Speakers like Shri Lakshmanraj Singh Markam, Shri Jitendra Dhruv, Smt Meena Murmu, Dr Ram Shankar Uraon, and Arvind Bhil addressed the gathering. Shri Markam, a Madhya Pradesh official, delivered a message in Hindi and English outlining seven key principles for youth-led social change.


Shri Satyendra Singh encouraged youth to share their community’s wisdom via media and grow as confident leaders.


Over four days, the wisdom and blessings from saints and social leaders left a strong impression on attendees and future generations.


Swami Avadheshanand Giri Maharaj honoured Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram leaders and social workers, including Padma Shri Pawar. Sixteen young tribal activists were also felicitated with shawls, mementos, and certificates.


On 7 February, after the Youth Conference, 10,000 tribals in traditional attire marched from two locations to the Triveni Sangam, dancing and chanting along the way—one group covering 14 km. Swami Yatindranand Giri Maharaj and other saints, including Swami Aseemanand Ji and senior Kalyan Ashram leaders, joined them for the royal bath.


While the holy bath was the centrepiece, another key aim was to showcase India’s tribal and Sanatan culture. The grand procession offered Kumbh visitors a vibrant glimpse of tribal life.


A cultural programme began and continued through 8–9 February. Organised by Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs, and IGNCA, 106 folk groups performed music and dance at four venues—Kailashanand Ashram, Uttam Dham, Prajyotishpuram, and Chhattisgarh Bhavan.


Tribal performers from across India celebrated nature-rooted traditions and the Panch Mahabhutas. Through native dialects and music, they fostered unity—reminding all that urban life springs from forest roots.


In Sanatan Dharma, regional songs—from Kokna’s “Donyi Polo” to Marathi bhajans—evoke nature and gratitude. Despite varied dialects, they shared a spiritual resonance.


Here, distinctions between rural, urban, and forest life faded—everyone was simply Indian. Ashram heads praised the performances, urging continued efforts to preserve this living heritage.

The Sant Samagam on 9–10 February brought together saints from the Northeast. Dr. Krishna Gopal Ji spoke; RSS Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale Ji, Suresh Soni Ji, VHP’s Dinesh Ji, and UP Minister Shri Jain also attended. Fifty-one saints were honoured, with Sarkaryavah Ji walking to each and offering flowers—a deeply moving moment.


Concerns were raised about external interference, especially missionary activity. Legal benefits for tribals are often diverted. Saints called for action on forest conservation, displacement, and sustainable development.


A shining example of the spirit of “Tu Main Ek Rakt” (You and I are of one blood) was Shri Jalan of Surabhi Sanstha, who ensured all tribals and devotees were fed prasad—no small feat, successfully managed.


The Kumbh drew wide media coverage. Volunteers live-streamed events, and IGNCA helped take this spiritual celebration global.

The mission behind this grand tribal participation in the Kumbh was fulfilled.


(The author is the national general secretary of Akhil Bharatiya Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram)

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