Chlorine buy: Finance department submits report

JAIPUR: In a report by the state

finance

department on the controversy surrounding the procurement of chemicals by the

PHED

for

chlorination of water

, the department has pointed towards the absence of rules in the Rajasthan Transparency in Public Procurement Act (RTPP) as to whom the first purchase order can be given in case two or more bidders have the same rate.

The PHED had been procuring Polyalumunium Chloride (PAC), used for chlorination of water, worth cores from two companies. However, the allotment of tenders to these two companies were questioned in a report prepared by then principal secretary of the department

Sandeep Verma

. The report, sent to the minister, stirred up a hornet’s nest as it pointed out that the tenders were given in violation of the RTPP.

The matter was then forwarded to the finance department for an examination.

The FD report says, “The RTPP Act & Rules are silent with respect as to whom the first purchase order can be given in case of parallel rate contracts with different companies but for ensuring fair, transparent and equitable division, appropriate provisions need to be included in the bidding documents at the level of procuring entity, keeping in view the RTPP Act & Rules."

Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, and Mini Crossword.