Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Nov 14: The Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has issued a show-cause notice to its Joint Commissioner Works, Rajinder Kumar Gupta, citing alleged irregularities in the tendering process for the construction of a sanitary landfill cell at the Achan garbage dumping site.
According to the notice, issued nearly a week ago-a copy of which is with ‘Excelsior’-SMC Commissioner has also removed Gupta from his additional responsibilities and directed him to return to his parent department, the Public Works Department (R&B), pending the outcome of an internal inquiry.
The notice, vide number SMC/PS/COM/1199-1201, issued by SMC Commissioner Dr. Owais Ahmed claims that Gupta bypassed financial procedures and disregarded directives from the Competent Authority concerning the contract’s approval.
“Whereas, tender for construction of Landfill Cell number 4 was floated Vide NIT No:19 of 2023-24 Dated: 22.09.2023, after the Administrative Approval (AAA) was given by the Administrative Department Vide No: 37-JK(HUD) of 2022 Dated: 19.03.2022 and technical sanction was given by Chief engineer UEED vide no. 13 of 2022-23 dated 27.10.2022,” the notice read.
The project, valued at Rs 26.50 crore, has had its tender floated and subsequently cancelled six times since 2019, citing various procedural and administrative issues.
It further stated that the in-house Tender Examination and Evaluation Committee (TEEC) of SMC “met on 15.05.2024 under the incumbent Joint Commissioner, Works for technical evaluation of the four bids received on 17.11.2023, being the last date of submission of the bids. The committee, after discussion, recommended the proposal for approval for opening of financial bids of the two qualified bidders namely M/s. Hi Tech Engineers and M/s. N. S. Associates Pvt. Ltd.”
The proposal of TEEC, the notice stated, “was placed before the Commissioner, SMC for perusal and approval and the Commissioner advised the Joint Commissioner Works to ‘Proceed U/R and put up for allotment only after MCC.”
“Joint Commissioner, Works issued Letter of Acceptance in violation of the financial powers conferred under SO 15 of Finance Department issued vide notification dated 9.1.2020, under which power to allot individual contracts of the value up to Rs. 7.00 crore only lies with the Superintending Engineer and the power to allot this contract of value of Rs. 26.50 crore was with the Departmental contract committee.”
Based on a review of the records submitted by the Joint Commissioner Works, the SMC Commissioner stated, “it is evident that the Letter of Acceptance was issued hastily, without approval of the Departmental Contract Committee. It is also clear from the records available that the performance guarantee has also been accepted, despite clear directions given by the Administrative Department to scrap the tender in view of the fresh plan of action approved under SBM 2.0 and CITIIS 2.0 for Srinagar Municipal Corporation area.”
He has been given seven days to respond to the show cause notice.
“Rajinder Kumar Gupta,” the notice reads further “is therefore directed to show cause why departmental proceedings should not be initiated against him for violation of financial instructions and defiance of instructions of Competent Authority…”
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