By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 19: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday asked Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mukul Sangma if the latter is casting doubt on the transparency of state government’s procedures.
“…the cabinet made this decision after the department had brought it to the cabinet. It only reflects the transparency that the department has. So, it is quite funny that Dr Mukul Sangma is questioning why? That means he is questioning our transparency procedures,” Conrad told reporters.
Referring to a recent cabinet approval of a tendering process proposed by the Power department, Mukul had questioned the intent stating that the item for consideration and approval by the cabinet itself is reflective of the fact that there are certain irregularities in the tender process.
The work was allotted to L1 bidder for implementation of the loss reduction project under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme.
“If we wanted to do it quietly or if there was any intention, then we would have never brought it to the cabinet. Bringing it to the cabinet is an indication of the transparency that the department has where we would like to share the procedure followed in the kind of steps taken in order to arrive at what we arrived, allot the work and move ahead with certain aspect,” Conrad said.
He added that in this aspect, every detail, including how many times the re-tendering extension of tendering done, is mentioned in the cabinet note and the cabinet ministers were briefed about it.
“We had written a couple of times to REC to inform them about the different types of issues that came up in the tendering process and sought their approval to go ahead because the tendering process was extended and re tendered. All the necessary procedures were followed and only after we got the approval, a green signal from the REC, did we go ahead with the certain aspects,” he added.
The procedure is not complete yet but certain parts are moving forward. To ensure that transparency is maintained, it was decided to let everybody know and ask questions so that there is no doubt tomorrow if anybody – press or public – asks the government, Conrad said.
Stating that one must appreciate the fact that it was brought to the cabinet and thereby, transparency was maintained, he said, “You have to understand that it is a Rs 700-crore tender. When a large tender happens, it is a basic process or a kind of culture we follow.”