Director Skill Development favours laissez faire in bidding

Don’t ignore fishy smell!

• Prefers PoQ bidding for items whose rates are already quoted in GeM.

jj correspondent

Jammu, Nov 28: Against GeM norms the same item purchased in 2021 purchases on more than double INR in 2023.
It is pertinent to mention that on October 26, 2023 the daily Jammu Jottings published a news item about bid No. GEM/2023/B/4079237, dated 12-10-2023 of Skill Development Department mentioning therein the follies committed in invitation of bidding viz. the discrepancy in nomenclature of the department, BoQ Bid instead of catalogue bid etc. Feigning ignorance of the publication in the said paper or showing hegemony of the section, the concerned section of the Skill Development Department proceeded on and issued the Supply Order vide Contract No. GEM-511687741733720 to BID/RA/PBP No. GEM/2023/B/4079237, dated 14 Nov, 2023. Certain questions arise in the mind while going through the Supply Order with reference to the norms fixed for GeM bidding. A) Why PoQ bidding when rates of the items mentioned in bidding are available in GeM? B) Does Norms fixed permit it? C) Has the market survey been done for rate verification? D) Why is OEM Authorisation Certificate issued by Acer to two different addresses of the department: one to “The Jammu and Kashmir Technical Education Department, Bikram Chowk Jammu, Dated, 22 June, 2022 in favour of KS Enterprises, Sulaiman Shopping Complex, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, signed by Chief Financial Officer of Acer. The second one is issued with address: To Accounts Officer, Directorate of Skill Development Department J&K (Firdous Ahmed) in favour of M/S AGM Sales Corporator 7 b/2 South Block Bahu Plaza, Jammu (hereinafter the “Bidder”), dated 23-06-2022 signed by: Company Secretary Acer. E) Why is Firdous Ahmed name mentioned with Department name in one letter quoted above dated 23-06-2022? What does OEM mean in GeM (by the way)? Quote, It means the “Seller or GeM will be either OeM ‘Original Equipment Manufacturer’ or seller having authorities to sell products manufactured by the OEM in open market. It is as clear as a drop of dew on rose petal in rising sun. Why to use a ford to cross the river when a concrete bridge is already laid over the river? If the OEM Authorisation Certificate is Clear about items produced/manufactured by OEM how and why does buyer order for other items, not available with OEM, (which are not electronic instead are electrical) to the successful bidder? Acer is not initiating the letter, it is issued on demand. Means two addresses are quoted by the Skill Development. What is the secret behind childish clown? F) What is the rate of the Computer purchased by the same department in 2021 for Language Labs in nine Polytechnic Colleges? We don’t and we won’t comment but Director should in light of the GeM norms? G) Why is there extended increase in rates against quoted in GeM?
To substantiate the statement, the references are quoted: 1). Desktop computer i5 as per order Rs 76923, as per GeM Rs 50960. 2). All in one computer i5 as per order, Rs 87923, as per GeM 64266.99. 3). UPS 5kva as per order Rs 316923, as per GeM 198000. 4). IFPD, as per order Rs 332923, as pet GeM Rs 278000.
Why are documents uploaded without the signatures of the members of SLPC?
Why is Skill Development Department, in a fool hardy way, making attempts to suppress the genuine voice raised against corrupt officers/official when internally the department is compelled by authorities/agencies to unravel the corruption charges leveled against tainted through media? Delaying tactics won’t work. As responsible citizens we don’t intend to dent public image of the department in any way as present dispensation puts in hard efforts to make it a purposeful and target-oriented department but where there is opaqueness and ambiguity in work, we demand transparency and clarity. When there is insulation odour in the house any time, take precautionary measures to avoid fire in the house.