Opp MLA demands e-tender in all depts

SHILLONG: Congress MLA George Lyngdoh has suggested adopting e-tender for all departments to ensure that the tendering process is transparent, accountable, while Health Minister AL Hek admitted that e-tendering is not followed in all the cases.
He was raising a call attention motion on the allegations of corruption in the Health Department by North East Drugs Suppliers Association for procurement of drugs and chemicals, during the Special Session of the Assembly.
According to him, adopting the process of e-tender would take away the burden from the departments rather than going for the manual system. He added that e-tender for all departments in the state will protect the interests of the people.
Not satisfied with Hek’s reply, Lyngdoh stood up and asked whether e-tender would be adopted.
Hek said it was discussed by the department but it depends on the quantum of the amount and all tenders cannot be in the form of e-tender.
Earlier, the Health Minister said distributors/suppliers/agents are not eligible to participate in the tender floated by the Directorate of Health Services (MI) on July 13 this year for the supply of IV fluids.
The Directorate of Health Services (MI) had floated the tender for supply of drugs and chemicals on November 5 this year, Hek said.
In both the cases, the manufacturers who are having an average annual turnover of not less than Rs 50 crore per annum during the last three consecutive years are eligible to participate in the tender.
“The purpose of the selection procedure was to attract the participation of reputed and capable manufacturers with proven track record. The Pre-Qualification (PQ) criteria were exhaustive, yet specific and there is fair and adequate competition. It was ensured that the PQ criteria are clearly stipulated in unambiguous terms in the bid documents,” he said.
Hek maintained that the suppliers and distributors are not eligible to participate in the tender and only the manufactures are eligible to participate.
“The government has no role in appointment of authorised distributors/suppliers and it solely rests upon the manufacturers. Thus, the allegation of nexus between distributors/suppliers and officers of the department does not arise,” Hek said.