E-tendering in JK Housing Board is merely eyewash
JJ CORRESPONDENT
Jammu, Apr 8: Throwing all rule books into dustbin, Firdous Ahmed Qazi, ex Deputy General Manager, JK Hosing Board Jammu, reportedly allowed his close contractor to start Balance Works at Sub District Hospital (SDH) Jourian, without finalizing of tendering process, however, the incumbent DGM implementing the Court’s order has stopped works and withheld the payment for the works executed, completed in violation of rules.
Though, the outgoing DGM has not issued any work order on record, but then the tender was opened, around 80 percent of works on the building had already completed, unfortunately, the contractor who was executing the works couldn’t qualify in the tendering process, as someone else declared as lowest bidder. “As his favourite couldn’t qualify in the bid, who on basis of verbal orders given by the ex-DGM, had completed around 80 percent works, the ex-DGM in an attempt to save his skin cancel earlier tender and tried to refresh the tender”, said a local PRI member, annoyed unethical practice of ex-DGM.
He said that Qazi abused his official position for some fishy reasons. “The qualified contractor, aggrieved over arbitrary order to re-fresh the tender, being ignored by the authorities of JKHB knocked Court’s door for justice”, the sources said.
“Taking cognizance of the matter the High Court in its order dated 03/05/2021 has directed that the respondent shall not finalise E-NIT no.01 of 2020-21 dated 19/04/2021, until further orders from this court”, sources informed.
“After transfer of Mr Firdous Ahmed Qazi, the DGM Unit-II JK Housing Board, his successor has stopped the works”, sources said, adding that meanwhile, the aggrieved contractor has also registered a complaint against the ex-DGM Firdous Ahmed Qazi with Anti Corruption Bureau”, sources said, adding that though no action has been taken by the ACB into the matter despite lapse of around one year.
“Earlier, the office of the Deputy General Manager, Housing Board Unit-II, Shastri Nagar Jammu issued E-Tender Notice (Call 5th) vide No. E.- NIT No- 29 of 2020-21 dated 15-02-2021 inviting e-Tenders from eligible /approved Contractors (A-Class) registered with Government for Balance work of Construction of Mortuary, Administrative Block, Laundry and Septic Tank, Sump tank at SDH Jourian with estimated Cost of Rs. 129.26 lac”, sources said, without waiting for final outcome of the tender, the then DGM allowed to firm to execute the works.
“Now the person who executed the work, will also suffer huge financial losses, as he executed works without any letter of allotment (LOA)”, they said, due to negligence of the officer, the public of Jourian forced to suffer”, said an PRI member from Bhalwal Brahmana block, whishing not to be named. “We appeal Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha ji, kindly take action against erring officer for abusing his official position and causing hurdle in the development”, the PRI member said.
When contacted incumbent DGM Housing Board, Tilak Raj informed that implementing court’s order all matter related tender in question has been stopped.
