ACAUT Nagaland has expressed dismay that the Food & Civil Supplies (F&CS) department has ignored their appeal to cancel and rectify the tender called to transport PDS under NFSA covering entire block of Nagaland even after pointing out anomalies and procedural flaw in the NIT.
In a press note, ACAUT media cell alleged that the director, as the NIT calling authority, “went ahead with total disregard to the rules and procedure and bended rules to protect those cronies and syndicates by adding a clause under terms and condition which was neither listed in the tender document nor in the NIT”.
ACAUT alleged that the clause signed by the director, was made known to the participants inside the tender opening hall, which reads as– “After opening of tender, no complain shall be entertained”. This clause was an attempt to manipulate foolproof, ACAUT said.
It reminded the department that “in a democracy where manipulation, favoritism and anomaly is found the participant has every right for disapproval and lodge a complaint and if need can even go to court for redressal”.
ACAUT also questioned the tender committee as to how some firms with same truck registration and numbers were made to qualify for multiple districts when the tender guidelines pointed out that– “a tender for one district should have a minimum of ten (10) numbers of trucks attached for carrying food grains”. It wondered whether it was feasible for the contractor with 10-15 trucks to carry all the food grains for multiple districts.
ACAUT demanded that the contract work be split into separate 75 blocks rather than 11 districts, so that the educated unemployed youth can gainfully engage themselves as self-employment rather than few powerful individuals.
ACUAT said the reluctance shown to correct the unfair practices in the tendering process, only raises suspicion of personal interest.
In this regard, ACAUT reminded the director to cancel the tender immediately and make changes as suggested by ACAUT.
In case of failure to comply with the demand, ACAUT said the director, who is NIT calling authority, would be fully responsible as stated in the earlier letter.
Leave a Reply