Comm Secy issues circular urging strict compliance with transparency
WAJAHAT SHABIR
SRINAGAR: The Housing & Urban Development Department (HUDD) has come under scrutiny for failing to follow crucial guidelines issued by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) aimed at ensuring transparency and preventing corruption in tendering and procurement processes.
In a recent circular, Commissioner Secretary Mandeep Kaur, IAS, emphasized the need for strict adherence to these guidelines, which are designed to promote fair competition and eliminate arbitrary practices in the procurement of goods, services, and works.
The circular highlights several key CVC guidelines that departments under HUDD have been neglecting. These include ensuring that pre-qualification (PQ) criteria are neither too stringent nor too lax, clearly stipulating evaluation criteria in bid documents, and avoiding arbitrary rejection of bids without justified grounds. The guidelines also stress the importance of the two-bid system—technical and price bids—where price bids are only opened for technically qualified vendors.
Additionally, the circular addresses the handling of minor irregularities in tender submissions, such as missing documents or non-submission of required copies. It clarifies that such issues can be waived if they do not constitute material deviations or financial impacts, provided they do not affect the ranking order of tenderers. However, departments have been inconsistent in applying these provisions, leading to potential unfair practices.
The Commissioner Secretary has urged all Heads of Departments (HODs) and Drawing & Disbursing Officers (DDOs) under HUDD to strictly follow the CVC guidelines, as well as the General Financial Rules, 2017, and the Manual for Procurement of Goods, Services, and Works. The circular also references specific court rulings and procurement manuals to reinforce the importance of transparency and fairness in the tendering process.
Failure to comply with these instructions could result in further scrutiny and potential disciplinary action. The circular serves as a reminder to all departments to uphold the principles of equity and fairness in procurement processes, ensuring that public funds are utilized efficiently and without prejudice.
The circular has been distributed to various officials, including Municipal Commissioners, Chief Engineers, and Project Officers, urging immediate compliance to restore integrity in the department’s procurement practices.
