Hut Bay Correspondent
Port Blair, June 14: A quotation for supply of electrical items floated by the Gram Panchayat of Vivekananda Pur in Little Andaman came under scanner for alleged violation of procurement procedures. Evidence available with this daily indicates that the Pradhan of VK Pur Gram Panchayat flouted the quorum proviso and crucial purchase norms to favour a private supplier and bestowed him the contract worth over Rs 6.3 lakh in the month of February this year and the supplier completed the supply of the electrical items within the stipulated period.
But a tussle ensued between the Pradhan and Panchayat Secretary of VK Pur after the latter declined to clear the payment citing that the supply order was issued in contravention of binding provisions of procurement.
According to sources, the tender was initially set to be opened in January this year, but was deferred without any notice to the concerned by a period of one month. On February, the Pradhan opened the tenders in the presence of some unauthorised members in his chamber and awarded the contract to his preferred supplier.
The process was executed in the absence of government servant, members of the purchase committee and in defiance to the quorum order. Moreover the financial concurrence of the Panchayat Secretary and approval of the AMC Contractor or the Junior Engineer was not obtained before issuing the supply order of Rs 6.3 lakh to the private supplier.
“The Pradhan of VK Pur has become a dictator of sorts and has been passing unilateral decisions since the past many months. The instant case is a flagrant violation of financial and procurement rules that hint has serious irregularities in the functioning of the Panchayat. Without abiding to the norms, the Panchayat Pradhan issued supply order worth lakhs to his preferred supplier for obvious. A thorough probe should be initiated in the case and the Pradhan should be disqualified if found guilty of misappropriation of government funds,” says a Panchayat member, who didn’t want his name to be quoted.
A Ward Member, whose signature was found in the proceedings of the tender opening meeting, on the condtion of anonymity claimed ignorance about tender process for supply of electrical items. My signature was taken by the Pradhan on the pretext of a Panchayat Body meeting, he asserted. When contacted, the Panchayat Secretary also denied any knowledge of any supply order issued for electrical items as also opening of tenders for the purpose.
The concerned agency of the administration should immediately refer the case to the Anti-Corruption Bureau. A thorough probe should be initiated and those found guilty of embezzlement of government funds should be taken to task.
