RTI activisits raise finger of AG office in Jharkhand
Ranchi: An RTI activist and social worker Sarvesh Kumar Singh knocked on the door of chief minister Hemant Soren requesting him to stop the malpractices like allotment of work to a biased favoured agency by the tender committee following irregularities in the tender.
He in his letter to CM given reference of Bid No-GEM/2022/5/2212451 dated 26-05-2022.
“…….With reference to the relevant tender on the above mentioned subject, it is requested to say that the relevant tender was invited by Employees’ State Insurance Corporation and Employment Training and Skill Development Department, Jharkhand, Ranchi for the efficient utilization of manpower through external source. In this named tender, local agencies along with many agencies from outside the state took part in the competition. Presently, in the practice of tendering, that agencies come under L-1 category of 11, who quotes the minimum service charge as per the rules. In this context, the special order issued by the Finance Department, Government of India (copy attached) dated 06.01.2023, which has committed to provision of service rate from minimum 3.85% to maximum 7% in service consumption from the agency. Contrary to not only the practical practice in the financial evaluation process, but also the instructions of the Finance Department, Government of India, the agency which had quoted maximum 12% service rate in the tender was successfully promoted by the Purchase Committee..” the letter reads.
Singh has pointed out irregularities in this and demanded cancellation of agreement.
“This makes it clear that the agency quoting 12% service charge was not only nurtured for the purpose of providing benefits to the agency favored by the purchasing committee and motivated by personal interest but also allotted the work. Therefore, it is requested to the Sir that taking cognizance of the above facts, there is a strong need to stop the deliberate and ill-conceived behavior of favoring a particular agency, because as a result of this, there will be malpractice in the healthy competition of tenders and violation of the instructions of the Finance Department. The possibility of contempt, unnecessary burden on the revenue of the state government and violation of the dignity of the state government cannot be ruled out. Therefore, to stop such misdeeds, action should be taken to cancel the concluded agreement and work order and give instructions to invite a new tender. So that there is no unnecessary burden on the treasury of the state government and the dignity of the state government remains intact,” the letter further reads.
Contacted Singh for his comment he confirmed the fact saying he has also knocked the door of Accountant General’s office but so far no action has been taken in the matter.
“When the no cognisance was taken on my letter I lodged a complaint with the Public Accountant General Office but it took three months to for the office verify the same. When no action was taken, went to meet Accountant General Madam, there I met an auditor Adren, who said that the matter has been noted and audit team will go there but nothing happened so far,” Singh said.
Singh said the work of AG office in the matter is also not satisfactory. “Now I want to draw attention of union finance minister and prime minister towards the loot of money from public xchequer and incompetency of AG office to check the same. It is a matter of concern that the AG office want to act when entire work will be executed and company will go after collecting all money from public exchequer,” he said.