Rajshahi, Oct 28 (V7N) – A Tk 539 crore tender for the construction of a 1,200-bed hospital and clinical faculty building at Rajshahi Medical University (RMU) has remained unresolved for eight months, delaying a major healthcare infrastructure project and raising allegations of administrative interference in the procurement process.

The proposed project includes an 11-storey hospital building with one basement, covering civil works, plumbing, internal electrical systems and built-in facilities. The tender was invited on January 13, with four construction firms initially participating.

According to university officials, the evaluation process was delayed following instructions from the Ministry of Health. The university’s vice-chancellor and project director, Professor Dr Jawadul Haque, alleged that the former health secretary directed officials to suspend the process. The former secretary, Md Kamruzzaman Chowdhury, has denied discussing the tender with the vice-chancellor.

The file has since moved to the office of Health State Minister Dr MA Muhith, where it has reportedly remained for about two weeks. The prolonged delay has pushed back the construction schedule and raised concerns about possible setbacks in postgraduate medical education and clinical training.

Tender Evaluation Leaves One Eligible Bidder

Tender documents show that four firms initially submitted bids. As the original validity period approached its June 12 deadline, the university sought extensions in accordance with the Public Procurement Rules (PPR).

Spectra-UCC JV and National Development Engineers Ltd declined to extend their bids and were excluded from further evaluation under the applicable rules. Wahid Construction Ltd agreed to extend its bid of Tk 497 crore 33 lakh, while HICC-MSCL JV extended its bid of Tk 539 crore 81 lakh.

At the second meeting of the Tender Evaluation Committee (TEC), held on July 11 under Professor Jawadul Haque, the HICC-MSCL JV bid was declared non-responsive. According to the university, the tender had been submitted with an electronic signature from an official of the second partner rather than the lead partner, contrary to the tender requirements.

Questions were also raised initially about Wahid Construction’s experience. However, the evaluation committee subsequently found that the company met the required experience criteria.

As a result, Wahid Construction emerged as the sole eligible bidder among the four participating firms.

The university submitted its evaluation report to the ministry on July 25 after completing three technical committee meetings, according to the vice-chancellor.

Allegations of Pressure and Deliberate Delay

Professor Jawadul Haque said the evaluation had been conducted cautiously because of the project’s size and what he described as pressure and threats received by members of the technical evaluation committee.

He said the committee decided to follow the Public Procurement Rules 2025 carefully to avoid any irregularity. After the tender was opened, he alleged, the ministry instructed the university to suspend the evaluation.

According to Haque, Dr Syeda Naushin Parnini, then additional secretary of the Health Education and Family Welfare Division, initially conveyed that the instruction had come from the health secretary. He further alleged that the former health secretary reiterated the instruction at a project steering committee meeting.

Dr Parnini denied having any direct involvement in the tender, saying the former health secretary was the standing committee’s chairman and had communicated directly with the university.

Wahid Construction official Dr Sayma Haque also alleged that the tender had been held up because of the former health secretary. She said the company had participated by providing a bank guarantee and described the prolonged delay as harassment. She further alleged that procurement files can sometimes be held up to seek money, but no evidence substantiating that broader allegation was provided in the account.

Former health secretary Md Kamruzzaman Chowdhury rejected the vice-chancellor’s claim that he had discussed the matter with him. Speaking to Samakal, he said some officials might be acting against him.

Ministry Says Procurement Will Proceed Under Rules

Health State Minister Dr MA Muhith said the government was working to simplify tendering and procurement procedures and expressed hope that the issue would be resolved soon.

Health Ministry Joint Secretary Shafiul Alam said the decision to award the contract had been made in accordance with procurement policy and that there had been no procedural error. He added that the hospital or government institution could also have undertaken separate procurement, depending on the circumstances.

Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain confirmed receiving a complaint about the delay and said steps had been taken to expedite the tender’s resolution.

A contractor has also submitted a written complaint to the health minister, according to the report. Ministry sources said an official had been transferred after the allegations became public, although the circumstances of the transfer were not independently established.

Project Delay Raises Healthcare Concerns

The proposed 1,200-bed hospital is intended to strengthen clinical facilities and postgraduate medical training in Rajshahi. Continued delays in awarding the construction contract could postpone the start of building work and defer the benefits expected from the project.

With the technical evaluation completed and Wahid Construction identified as the only eligible bidder, the outstanding decision rests with the relevant authorities. The ministry’s handling of the file will determine when the procurement process can move forward, while the allegations surrounding the delay remain disputed by the officials concerned.

END/MRA/SMA/