18 October,2026 04:35 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Mumbai BJP MLA Mihir Kotecha. File Pic
BJP MLA Mihir Kotecha has written to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Ashwini Bhide, demanding an output-based empanelment system for housekeeping services in major Mumbai civic hospitals to improve transparency, ensure competition and prevent disruptions to essential services.
The demand comes after Kotecha raised concerns over alleged irregularities in BMC's Rs 45 crore tender for housekeeping services at major hospitals. He has called for structural reforms in the process of awarding these contracts.
In his letter to Bhide, Kotecha suggested that instead of awarding large contracts to a single agency, the BMC should empanel multiple qualified agencies through a transparent process and distribute work among them.
"Such a system will promote transparency, healthy competition, better service quality, and cost efficiency while preventing monopolistic practices," Kotecha stated in the letter.
He further proposed that no single agency should be awarded more than two or three hospital housekeeping contracts. This, he said, would ensure a fair distribution of work and reduce operational risks.
Kotecha also urged the civic body to ensure that essential housekeeping services at BMC hospitals remain unaffected while the proposed reforms are implemented.
He called on the BMC to initiate the necessary policy changes in the larger public interest and suggested that the existing tender arrangement should continue only until the new output-based empanelment system is adopted.
In May, Kotecha had raised concerns over alleged irregularities in the housekeeping tender and accused senior Health Department officials of being "hand-in-glove" in the alleged tender manipulation.
The latest letter reiterates his demand for changes to the contracting process, with a focus on transparency, accountability and the uninterrupted delivery of essential housekeeping services at civic hospitals.
In September, the BMC rolled out Minimum Essential Standards for Mumbai's civic hospitals, introducing common administrative and operational guidelines covering staff uniforms, biometric attendance, housekeeping, procurement and inter-hospital reviews.
A directive issued by the Office of the Director (Medical Education & Major Hospitals) earlier this month calls for the measures to be implemented across municipal medical colleges and hospitals.
The stated aim is to bring greater consistency in professional discipline, cleanliness, infection control, staff accountability and procurement, while ensuring eligible patients receive government-scheme benefits and hospitals learn from one another.
