Bihar dustbin procurement sparks scam row, Opposition attacks BJP

A viral video report has triggered a political row over the alleged purchase of overpriced dustbins for hospitals across Bihar. The report, published by an outlet cited by The Hindu, says the Bihar Medical Services and Infrastructure Corporation Limited bought specialised waste dustbins at inflated rates during the previous NDA government led by Nitish Kumar, pointing to an alleged scam exceeding ₹300 crore that could rise to nearly ₹700 crore.

The report alleges 75-litre plastic dustbins, priced at ₹1,000-₹1,500 in the market, were purchased at ₹15,490 each, while 45-litre bins costing ₹700 were procured at ₹11,000 apiece. The Opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal called the ruling BJP “trash bin eaters”. RJD chief Lalu Prasad’s daughter Rohini Acharya posted on social media questioning whether it was a bin for garbage or a gimmick to empty the treasury.

Two BMSICL employees, speaking anonymously to The Hindu, dismissed the allegations as “rubbish”, saying the dustbins were high-temperature-resistant specialised plastic containers for hospital waste treatment systems, not ordinary retail bins. Former state health minister Mangal Pandey could not be reached for comment. The state government has issued no official clarification. Nishant Kumar, Nitish Kumar’s son, became health minister after the NDA cabinet was expanded in May 2026.