Dimapur, May 29 (MExN): A local contractor today addressed a letter to the Home Commissioner of Nagaland expressing deep pain that a contract for wheat was awarded to another contractor-firm which had not even participated in the “tender process.” Contractor A Neangba Konyak said in his representation to the commissioner that information sought under the Right to Information Act (RTI) had thrown up this disturbing dealing of the state government. The contract was given despite Konyak being recommended for the contract by the Tender Evaluation Committee, the letter said.
“Pursuant to your tender dated 17.2.09, I submitted my tender documents for the supply of 'atta' to the NAPR/IR Battalions for the year 2009-10. The tender documents were scrutinized and I was told that the decision on the NIT would subsequently be made known to me. Only recently, by my application under the Right to Information Act, I have come to know that the contract in question was awarded to M/S Sanjay Atta & Rice Mills, Dimapur. This establishment did not even participate in the tender process. I was furnished with the Comparative Statement of tenders received pursuant to the NIT dated 17.2.09. This comparative statement clearly shows that M/S Sanjay Atta & Rice Mills did not even participate in the tender process.”
Further, Konyak came to know that in the comparative statement his bid is shown as the lowest; there is also a recommendation of the Tender Evaluation Committee headed by senior police officers that the supply of 'atta' to the NAP/IR Battalions for the year 2010-11 should be awarded to Konyak. “This recommendation is on the basis of tender submitted for the year 2009-10. This recommendation is also not for the entire supply but only for the short-fall,” a saddened Konyak stated in his letter.
But the story did not end there: Surprised at this turn of events, Konyak submitted another application under the Right to Information Act seeking information regarding the award of supply of 'atta' from the year 2003 onwards and also about the basis on which M/S Sanjay Atta & Rice Mills was awarded the contract for the years 2009-10 and 2010-2011.
“In reply, I was informed that M/S Sanjay Atta & Rice Mills has been supplying 'atta' since the year 2003 till date. I was also furnished with the relevant documents conveying the approval of the Government for the award of the contracts to M/S Sanjay Atta & Rice Mills on the basis of ‘satisfactory performance’”
“It is downright shocking that the Government should resort to awarding contracts on the basis of ‘satisfactory performance’, that too, without floating tenders. It is inconceivable to even suggest that the government and its machineries can be privatized. In effect, the manner in which state largesse is being distributed suggests this preposterous premise,” Konyak stated.
The letter reminded the Home Commissioner that the conduct of the Home department in the award of the contract to M/S Sanjay Atta & Rice Mills of Dimapur is in gross violation of all norms. “Such an abuse is unthinkable, leave alone unconscionable. It is time for those who wield authority to realize that the responsibility reposed on them is for good of the people and not for the good of vested interests and private pockets.”
The contractor has requested the government, in public interest, to take immediate remedial action, including proceeding against the erring officials as well as canceling the contract awarded to M/S Sanjay Atta & Rice Mills.
“I write this letter for the purpose of creating a general awareness and also with a request for remedial action. I place one instance of this questionable conduct for your consideration,” the letter appealed.
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